AN INCREASING number of Americans have real concerns about the safety of atomic power after a massive earthquake and tsunami sparked fears of a catastrophic meltdown at a Japanese nuclear plant, a poll released on Thursday showed.
In a USA Today/Gallup poll conducted since the disaster, some 70 per cent of respondents said they were worried about nuclear energy, up significantly from the 57 per cent who expressed similar concerns just two weeks ago.
According to the poll, 47 per cent of Americans oppose building more nuclear plants with only 44 per cent in support. The rest did not have a strong opinion on the issue.
Japanese authorities were struggling to control three nuclear power plants damaged by Friday’s earthquake and subsequent tsunami as the United States recommended its citizens stay more than 80km away.
US lawmakers are also struggling with the safety issue, questioning administration officials over the possibility of a similar accident in the US.
President Barack Obama has sought increased funding for nuclear power as part of a push to move the country away from fossil fuels.