Andrew Han

How did opinions on nuclear power in the USA change between the 1960s and 1990s?

Started Mar. 1, 2023

Abstract or project description

How did opinions on nuclear power in the USA change between the 1960s and 1990s? In this paper, I argue that opinions on nuclear power will become more and more split as time goes on due to multiple incidents. Most supporters of nuclear power will tend to align with a certain political group, and most people against nuclear power will tend to align with an opposing political group. Nuclear power is defined as energy generated via use of the nucleus of an atom, either by splitting them apart (fission) or fusing them together (fusion). Nuclear power generates little to no pollution, it is incredibly long-lasting, it is very efficient, and it is cheaper long-term. However, it also has some drawbacks: it generates radioactive waste and it is a possible target for terrorism. Infrastructure for nuclear power is very costly and also time consuming to construct. Incidents regarding nuclear power—like Chernobyl and Three Mile Island—can have catastrophic consequences, and nuclear power takes far more maintenance than other power sources. Opinions on these issues will likely be affected by partisanship and political ideology. To conduct my research, I am going to utilize sources such as news articles, encyclopedia articles, scientific magazines, public polls, journal articles, and informational videos. Additionally, I plan to use archival research such as nuclear power diagrams, government policies surrounding nuclear power, and narratives from the survivors of nuclear incidents such as Chernobyl to explain the split in opinions on nuclear policy. This paper combines approaches from public policy, political behavior, and history.