Nuclear reactor at home? Public acceptance of small nuclear reactors in the neighborhood

Small Nuclear Reactors (SNR) can provide climate-neutral, stable electricity and heating if located in people’s neighborhoods close to dwellings. The extensive use of SNR would reduce capacity requirements for energy transmission systems increase the overall stability grids. However, public fear location their homes. This paper hypothesizes that acceptance neighborhood is contingent upon knowledge technology, nuclear (NE), trust government, expected future needs ability renewables cover these needs, environmental climate concerns, media exposure. We rely representative survey data from Czech Republic ( N = 1,013, 51.2% female, aged 18–91, M ± SD: 47.7 17.6; 19.6% with higher education). Methodologically we conduct exploratory Principal Component Analysis a series ordinal regressions. results suggest preference NE expansion, exposure increased SNR, while decreased acceptance. perceived replaceability conventional sources most cases. Surprisingly, worries about change reduced support SNR. Women accept fewer SNRs residence compared men. More educational effort needed specifics technology effects Media proved be an excellent way start.