National Poll: Americans Split on Safety of Nuclear Energy

-- Most Support EPA Designation of Carbon Dioxide as Public Health Threat
-- Majorities See Danger in Nuclear Waste
-- Wind Energy Perceived as Safest
-- One-Third See More Nuclear Weapons as Plants Increase

FAIRFIELD, Conn., June 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new national poll of
800 residents by the Sacred Heart University Polling Institute found a nearly
even split between those suggesting nuclear energy was very or somewhat safe
(46.1%) and those who said somewhat dangerous or very dangerous (44.7%).

"Americans are split about whether nuclear power is safe or not, and many
people have specific security concerns about nuclear power. The two dangers
that concern a majority of Americans are the problems with radioactive waste
storage, a top criticism of nuclear power, and possible plant meltdowns," says
Dr. Josh Klein, assistant professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at
Sacred Heart University.

A majority of Americans (58.4%), however, indicated that nuclear energy's
radioactive waste is a danger that humans will face for thousands of years to
come.

Over one-third of respondents, 36.8%, expect the number of nuclear weapons to
increase worldwide as a result of building more nuclear power plants.

Poll respondents did consider other energy sources as significantly more safe
than nuclear energy. A large majority, 94.6%, saw wind energy as very or
somewhat safe. This was followed by river and tidal energy (80.0%),
geothermal energy (68.5%), fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas
(56.1%), and biofuels (55.6%).

While over half of those surveyed, 53.6%, were concerned about the danger of
future nuclear energy plant meltdowns, nearly the same percent (54.2%)
suggested that nuclear power plants will be safer in the future because of
newer technologies making plants meltdown-proof.

And, 36.8% did not see a proliferation of nuclear weapons because nuclear
energy and nuclear bombs utilize significantly different technologies.

Three-quarters of Americans (76.5%) were aware the United States Environmental
Protection Agency had begun the process of listing carbon dioxide emissions as
pollution that endangers public health. And, 77.0% of all survey respondents
strongly or somewhat supported the EPA's decision to regulate carbon
emissions.

According to Dr. Klein, "The survey mixed pro and anti nuclear statements in
equal measure. As a result, we found that about the same proportion expressed
concern about future meltdowns (53.6%) as said that nuclear energy will be
safer because they will be meltdown-proof (54.2%). Similar splits occurred in
this survey regarding other nuclear safety concerns. These reflect some
confusion, which is to be expected, given the limited information in major
media."

EXPERTS AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT

-- Dr. Josh Klein is an associate professor in the Department of Criminal
Justice at Sacred Heart University. Prior to his full-time academic
career, he worked in survey and public opinion research. His current
research is about organized violence and state-corporate crime.

-- Jerry Lindsley, director, Sacred Heart University Polling Institute

To speak with these experts, please contact Funda Alp at 203-396-8241 or
alpf@sacredheart.edu or Tracy Deer-Mirek at 203-371-7751 or
deer-mirekt@sacredheart.edu.

How the Poll Was Conducted
The Sacred Heart University Polling Institute completed 800 surveys
nationally. All telephone interviews were conducted between May 27 and June 9,
2009. One survey instrument was used to elicit information from all
respondents. Statistically, a sample of 800 completed telephone interviews
represents a margin for error of +/-3.5% at a 95% confidence level.

About Sacred Heart University
Sacred Heart University, the second-largest Catholic university in New
England, offers more than 40 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on
its main campus in Fairfield, Connecticut, and satellites in Connecticut,
Luxembourg and Ireland. Approximately 6,000 students attend the University's
four colleges: Arts & Sciences; Education & Health Professions; University
College; and the AACSB-accredited John F. (Jack) Welch College of Business.
The Princeton Review includes SHU in its "Best 368 Colleges: 2009," and U.S.
News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges 2008" ranks SHU among the best
master's universities in the North. SHU fields 31 division I athletic teams,
and has an award-winning program of community service. www.sacredheart.edu

For additional Sacred Heart University news, please visit
http://www.sacredheart.edu/pressroom.cfm.

SOURCE Sacred Heart University

Funda Alp, +1-203-396-8241, alpf@sacredheart.edu, or Tracy Deer-Mirek,
+1-203-371-7751, deer-mirekt@sacredheart.edu, both of Sacred Heart University