Memo: Voters Support Community Ownership and Federal Investments in Advanced Nuclear Energy
Executive Summary
A majority of likely voters (57 percent) agree communities, rather than state or private power companies, should have greater ownership over which energy sources power their area
Over two-thirds of voters (69 percent) support the federal government prioritizing investments in energy technologies to help communities wield greater control over their energy mix
Nearly two-thirds of voters (63 percent) agree that the federal government, rather than private investors, should lead federal energy innovation initiatives
A bipartisan majority of voters (65 percent) would support replacing fossil fuel plants with 100 percent carbon pollution-free advanced nuclear energy
After learning more, voters across party lines view advanced nuclear more favorably and support more federal investments in next-generation nuclear
In March 2021, President Biden introduced the American Jobs Plan, a landmark investment in America’s infrastructure and electricity grid. This plan includes commitments to community-focused environmental justice and over $100 billion in new federal energy innovation initiatives — a much-needed investment to catalyze research into clean energy technologies across our government. But these critical innovation investments have emerged as one of the likeliest components of the plan to get cut in pursuit of a “bipartisan” infrastructure bill that the White House is negotiating with congressional lawmakers.
