Program

Moderator: Thomas Downar, Professor of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan

• Todd Allen, Third Way
• Jess Gehin, Consortium for the Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
• Daniel Ingersoll, NuScale
• Peter Lyons, U.S. Department of Energy (Retired), Commissioner, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Retired)
• Jim Rogers, Duke Energy (Retired), Rubenstein Fellow, Duke University

Moderator Remarks: Joe Arvai, Director, Erb Institute, Professor, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Michigan

Americans’ relationship with nuclear power is an uneasy one. This session will explore the public’s perception of nuclear power’s benefits and risks as compared to other energy sources. Session participants will examine the public’s tolerance for nuclear risk, including Fukushima-style disasters and waste storage. They’ll look at how and why some non- U.S. countries have evolved differently, wholly embracing or banning nuclear power. At the close of the session, panelists will discuss ways to balance public perception of nuclear power’s risk with its potential reward.

Dr. Vivianne Visschers, ETH Zurich, Institute for Environmental Decisions, Consumer Behavior Group

The public’s perception of nuclear power has known some turbulent times. The nuclear renaissance that had started in the early 2000s appeared to be suddenly ended after the nuclear accident in Fukushima; that is, in countries such as Germany and Switzerland, in which a nuclear phase-out was started. To be able to retrace these policy decisions and to anticipate on a change in societies’ views, it is important to understand the public’s perception of nuclear power and its psychological determinants. In my talk, I will discuss—based on findings from various surveys—that public acceptance of nuclear power is mainly related to three factors: trust in nuclear stakeholders, affective associations with, and perceived benefits of the technology. I will show that although a dramatic accident as in Fukushima can to some extent change the acceptance of nuclear power in a country that is not directly affected, these three factors remain the most important determinants of the public’s acceptance of nuclear power. My talk will end with a few recommendations of how policy makers can work on trust, affective associations, and benefit perception related to nuclear power.

John Besley, Associate Professor, College of Communications, Michigan State University

The presentation will first provide an overview of publicly available survey results on what Americans think about nuclear energy. A focus will be put on both the most recent results as well as over-time trends. The presentation will then seek to highlight key findings from academic research that has tried to provide an understanding of the key predictors of nuclear energy support. Gaps in our knowledge will also be noted. Overall, the presentation will emphasize that those who want to build support for nuclear energy likely need to see doing so as a long-term process and one that is tied into how people think about science and risk, decision-makers, and the environment.

Joe Arvai, Director, Erb Institute, Professor, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Michigan

In an effort to reduce “carbon pollution” as well as prepare the U.S. for the impacts of climate change, "President Obama’s 2013 Climate Action Plan calls for changes to be made to the nation’s energy system. In addition to focusing on alternative portfolios of different fuels and power-generation technologies—which, presumably, includes nuclear energy—researchers and advisory panels have urged that changes to the nation’s energy system be based on a decision-making framework that facilitates informed choices by incorporating stakeholders’ values and concerns, and accounting for real-world supply, demand, and technological constraints. To date, research and development on such a framework has proven elusive. The research reported here describes the basis for developing and testing a decision support framework that combines elements from structured decision-aiding with portfolio analysis, methods that have been used independently to elicit preferences in complex decision contexts. This hybrid framework (1) provided necessary background information to users regarding the development of coupled climate-energy strategies; (2) accounted for users’ values and objectives; (3) allowed for the construction of bespoke energy portfolios bounded by real-world supply and demand constraints; and (4) provided a more rigorous basis for addressing tradeoffs.

Dr. John Besley, College of Communication Arts and Sciences, Michigan State University

The presentation will first provide an overview of publicly available survey results on what Americans think about nuclear energy. A focus will be put on both the most recent results as well as over-time trends. The presentation will then seek to highlight key findings from academic research that has tried to provide an understanding of the key predictors of nuclear energy support. Gaps in our knowledge will also be noted. Overall, the presentation will emphasize that those who want to build support for nuclear energy likely need to see doing so as a long-term process and one that is tied into how people think about science and risk, decision-makers, and the environment.

• Tom Catania, The University of Michigan
• Daniel Malone, Consumers Energy
• Dr. Robyn Wilson, The Ohio State University

Moderator Remarks: Catherine Hausman, Assistant Professor, Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan

• Fred Buckman, Powerlink Transmission
• Paul Fessler, Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer, DTE Energy
• John Gilleland, Chief Technical Officer, TerraPower
• Geoffrey Rothwell, OECD Nuclear Energy Agency

Moderator Remarks: Thomas Lyon, Associate Director for Social Science and Policy, University of Michigan Energy Institute, Professor, Ross School of Business and School of Natural Resources and the Environment

The policy session, which closes the symposium, will explore how changes in public policy around nuclear power might resolve some of the challenges facing the industry and position it for socially acceptable future expansion. Participants will detail considerations for a practical regulatory framework for bringing new reactors online in a timely manner; allowing the economics of nuclear plant operation to reflect its full costs and benefits, including climate impacts; and identify politically and socially viable solutions for nuclear waste storage.