For Immediate Release
June 12, 2008
Contacts: Laurie Parker
Elizabeth Christian & Associates Public Relations
512.494.2865
(mobile) 512.423-8857
Rebecca Hind
Elizabeth Christian & Associates Public Relations
512.494.2864
POLL SHOWS SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC SUPPORT
FOR NUCLEAR ENERGY IN SOUTH TEXAS
AUSTIN–Nuclear Energy for Texans, a newly announced statewide coalition, released today survey results showing that 67 percent of informed individuals polled in Victoria and Refugio counties favor construction of a proposed nuclear power plant near Victoria, Texas.
Sponsored by Nuclear Energy for Texans (NET) and funded by Exelon Nuclear, an underwriter of the coalition, the telephone survey was conducted in April by Austin-based pollster Baselice & Associates, Inc.
Baselice & Associates, Inc. polled 601 individuals to:
- Measure awareness of a proposed nuclear power plant in South Victoria County.
- Assess support and opposition for building a nuclear power plant in South Victoria County.
Other highlights of the poll include:
- 87 percent of respondents have seen, read or heard about the proposed nuclear power plant in Victoria County.
- 27 percent of informed respondents oppose construction of a nuclear power plant in Victoria County. Safety concerns were the most frequently mentioned reason for opposition.
- Support for construction of a nuclear power plant grows to 77 percent of individuals polled when they consider that such a plant would generate millions of dollars in economic benefit for local communities.
- Support grows to 76 percent of respondents when they learn that modern nuclear power plants have automatic, multiple and redundant back-up safety systems.
- Nuclear plants produce electricity without carbon emissions; this was a powerful fact for the respondents in support of the issue. Economic benefits were also cited by a large majority of the supporters of nuclear power.
In December 2007, Exelon Nuclear designated Victoria County as its site in Texas for submission of a federal license application allowing construction and operation of a new nuclear plant, should the company decide to move forward on building such a plant. The site is an 11,500-acre tract located about 20 miles south of Victoria in Victoria County. A huge manmade lake would be constructed to provide the plant with cooling water.
“Four nuclear generation facilities have been producing safe, clean and inexpensive energy in Texas for three decades,” Austin attorney Tom Forbes, president of Nuclear Energy for Texans, said. “Our coalition was formed to educate the public about the benefits of adding more nuclear energy to our state’s portfolio, as our population and energy needs are growing dramatically. These survey results show that a solid majority of the potential neighbors of the new Exelon plant understand and support our position.”
To obtain a copy of the full survey, please contact Laurie Parker at (512) 494-2865 or e-mail
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About Nuclear Energy for Texans:
Nuclear Energy for Texans is a coalition dedicated to educating Texans about the benefits of nuclear energy as a clean, safe, reliable alternative to meet the increasing energy needs of the state. To learn more about NET, log on to www.nuclearenergyfortexans.org.