Support for nuclear energy in the United States has reached its highest level in over a decade, according to a new Gallup poll, with 61 percent of adults in favor of using nuclear power. This marks a six-point jump from 2023 and brings public support within one percentage point of the record high set in 2010.
Among those surveyed, 29 percent “strongly” support nuclear energy while 32 percent said they “somewhat” support it. On the other side, 20 percent “somewhat” oppose and 15 percent “strongly” oppose nuclear power.
The March 2025 survey comes amid growing demand for stable and large-scale energy sources from major tech companies including Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon. These firms are investing in nuclear energy to meet the immense power needs of data centers fueled by artificial intelligence applications.
The poll also reveals a clear partisan divide. Seventy-four percent of Republicans now support nuclear energy, up 12 points from last year. Support among independents rose eight points to 64 percent. In contrast, only 46 percent of Democrats favor nuclear power. Since Gallup began tracking the issue in 1994, Democrat support for nuclear energy has rarely exceeded 50 percent and has never surpassed 54 percent.
This rising support for nuclear energy contrasts with mixed public sentiment on other energy policies associated with President Donald Trump. The poll shows Americans are evenly split on expanding offshore oil and gas drilling—50 percent in favor, 46 percent opposed. Views on fracking remain divided as well, with 48 percent against and 45 percent in support.
A majority of Americans, 61 percent, oppose opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska for oil exploration—a project often backed by Republican lawmakers.
Concerns over energy costs and availability have eased since their peak in 2022. At that time, 47 percent of Americans expressed significant concern over affordability. That number has now dropped to 35 percent, reflecting a cooling in public anxiety over rising gas prices and supply issues.
