Russia should scrap nuclear energy - poll
MOSCOW, June 16 (RIA Novosti) - The majority of Russians (57 percent) believe the country should abandon nuclear energy and close nuclear power plants, according to a poll released on Thursday.
The survey, conducted by the All-Russia Center for the Study of Public Opinion on June 11-12, showed that only 20 percent of respondents believe nuclear energy programs should continue.
The main objection to nuclear energy is safety and environmental concerns (68 percent) with 24 percent of respondents saying alternative energy sources are safer and more economical.
Those in favor of nuclear power plants are convinced that Russia cannot exist without nuclear energy (38 percent), that alternative sources are insufficient (16 percent), that NPPs are safe if properly operated and maintained (13 percent) and that abandoning NPPs would push up energy prices (4 percent).
Russia has made development of nuclear power and nuclear fuel production and processing a centerpiece of its future economic development.
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