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Spaniards Oppose Revamping Nuclear Power
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Almost half of adults in Spain are opposed to ending their country’s nuclear energy moratorium, according to a poll by Sigma Dos published in El Mundo. 48.3 per cent of respondents share this opinion, while 39.7 per cent support ending the ban.
In addition, 75.1 per cent of respondents would not consent to a nuclear power station being built in their own community.
Spain’s moratorium on nuclear energy—which entails that no new nuclear power plants can be built—was introduced in 1983. The country currently has eight operating nuclear facilities.
The current Spanish government, led by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero of the Socialist Worker’s Party (PSOE), has allowed the existing nuclear power plants to operate until their licenses expire. Once this happens, the facilities will be decommissioned.
On Aug. 19, Spain’s Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) recommended that a nuclear plant be fined for failing to report a leak accurately and on time. The November 2007 leak at the Endesa-owned plant located northwest from Tarragona was only reported in April, and the CSN found that plant managers underreported the amount of spilled toxic material.
Spanish industry minister Miguel Sebastián commented on the CSN investigation into the matter and the possible sanctions, saying, "We all agree, whether we are for or against nuclear power, that it should be safe and that means there can be no manipulation or covering up."
Polling Data
Do you support or oppose ending the nuclear moratorium in Spain?
|
Support |
39.7% |
|
Oppose |
48.3% |
|
Not sure |
12.0% |
Would you consent to a nuclear power station being built in your municipality?
|
Yes |
22.0% |
|
No |
75.1% |
|
Not sure |
2.9% |
Source: Sigma Dos / El Mundo
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 Spanish adults, conducted in August 2008. Margin of error is 3.16 per cent.