Information Showing that Nuclear Energy is the Most Reliable Clean Energy Source is Surprising and Changes Attitudes

Ann Stouffer Bisconti, PhD

Bisconti Research, Inc.

August 2025

The new national survey was conducted from May 28 to June 8, 2025, by Bisconti Research, Inc., using a nationally representative sample of 1,000 people 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.

Our 2025 survey tested the impact of information that showed graphically the capacity factors of four clean energy sources: hydropower, nuclear, wind, and solar energy.

First, Perceptions. Only 30% picked nuclear energy as the most reliable clean energy source. Solar energy was chosen first.

Which is Most Reliable Clean Energy Source? (2025)

Which one of the following is the most reliable clean energy source? %

Next, Information.  Respondents saw the following information that shows graphically that the most reliable clean energy source is nuclear energy. Solar is not first; it is last.

Average Capacity Factors of Nuclear, Hydro, Wind, and Solar in the U.S. in 2024[1]

Capacity factor is the percentage of electricity a power plant actually produces compared to the maximum it could produce if it ran at full power all the time. On average, the 94 U.S. nuclear power plants ran at full power at least 90% of the time every year since 2004.

Impact. While 70% of respondents found the information surprising, 41% called it very surprising.

How Surprising is Information that Nuclear Energy is the Most Reliable Clean Energy? (2025)

How surprising to you is this information that nuclear energy is the most reliable clean energy source?

The information increased those strongly in favor of nuclear energy from 29% to 44%--a 15-point upward shift.  Those opposed to nuclear energy dropped from 28% to 15%--a 13-point downward shift, and those strongly opposed dropped from 6% to 4%. 

Favorability to Nuclear Energy Before and After Information (2025)

Thinking again, 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?

Because few people feel very well informed about nuclear energy and few can pass a knowledge test on the subject, new information about the advantages of nuclear energy comes across as surprising and mightily strengthens public support.

[1] Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

© Ann Stouffer Bisconti, 2025.