Environmentalists’ Opinions on Nuclear Energy

Ann Stouffer Bisconti, PhD

Bisconti Research, Inc.

June 2026

The 2026 National Nuclear Energy Public Opinion Survey identified members of the U.S. public who usually think of themselves as environmentalists. A large segment (44%) said they maybe do so, and 19% said they definitely do so. The “maybe” group holds opinions about nuclear energy that are like those of the U.S. public at large. Instead, those who “definitely” self-identify as environments stand out; they are much more likely than others to:

See energy as a very serious problem,
Strongly favor the use of nuclear energy, and
Associate nuclear energy “a lot” with reliability, affordability, efficiency, energy independence, good jobs, clean air and a solution for climate change.

Self-Identified Environmentalists in the U.S. Public (2026)

Do you usually think of yourself as an environmentalist? %

This special report analyses responses of two groups of self-described environmentalists, the definites and the maybes, on questions asked in the 2026 survey about energy and nuclear energy.

(The national survey was conducted from May 4-10, 2026 by Bisconti Research, Inc., using a nationally representative sample of 1,016 respondents drawn from the Quest Mindshare Online Panel of 3.5 million people in the U.S. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points. )

Americans who consider themselves environmentalists, especially those who definitely do so, are younger, more educated, more Democrats, and more men. Whereas 22% of Trump voter and 21% of Harris voters see themselves as “definite environmentalists,” more Harris voters are “maybe environmentalists.”

Demographics of Self-Identified Environmentalists (2026) %

The definite environmentalists stand out in their evident concern about energy as a problem facing the U.S. today: 70% consider the problem very serious.

Seriousness of Energy as a Problem Facing the United States (2026)

Considering problems facing the United States, would you say that energy is…?

“Definite environmentalists” opinions on nuclear power plant license renewal, preparing to build more nuclear power plants, and actually building them are more strongly favorable.

Opinions on License Renewal and New Plants (2026)

How much do you agree or disagree…?

When their current operating license expires, we should renew the license of nuclear power plants that continue to meet federal safety standards.

Our nation should prepare now so that advanced-design nuclear power plants are ready to provide electricity as needed.

We should definitely build more nuclear power plants in the future.

Nearly half (49%) of “definite environmentalists” strongly favor nuclear energy, with a total of 85% strongly or somewhat in favor. The “maybes” are much like the public at large.

Favorability to Nuclear Energy (2026)

Overall, do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose the use of nuclear energy as one of the ways to provide electricity in the United States? (%)

“Definite environmentalists” are more aware than others of nuclear energy’s valuable attributes including reliability, efficiency, energy independence, good jobs, affordability, clean air, energy security, and climate change solution. The percentages of “definite environmentalists” who associate nuclear energy a lot with the two environmental attributes—clean air (56%) and climate change solution (51%)—are much larger than those of the population at large and the group of “maybe environmentalists.” However, there is considerable room to improve those numbers among those who care most deeply about the environment.

Association with Nuclear Energy (2026)

Do you associate nuclear energy a lot, a little, or not at all with each of the following? (%)

Reliable electricity