Social mood in the regions of nuclear power plants

Abstract

The article presents analyses of social sentiments in the regions where nuclear power stations are located based on 2014 and 2015 monitoring data. The attitude of the population to the nuclear power industry, the level of its social accept‑ ability, the role of the NPP in the social and economic development of the region and the degree of public awareness of the activities of nuclear power plants are analyzed. The studied territories’ population generally supports the existence and devel‑ opment of enterprises engaged in the production of electricity using nuclear technologies, perceiving them as a way to ensure our country’s energy resources. Conclusions are drawn about the differential nature of the integral index of social acceptability of nuclear energy. Public opinion in the regions and cities of the location of nuclear power plants is heterogeneous and is based on the perception and assessment of the ratio of objective and subjective risk and safety in living conditions near technologically hazardous industries. This opinion is also based on objective knowledge about modern achievements of nuclear energy and on the trust in the professionalism and responsibility of specialists working in the nuclear industry.