# Small nuclear reactors near home draw more opposition than support

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/ai/small-nuclear-reactors-near-home-draw-more-opposition-than-support/

> Indexed question in AI & Tech.

## Reading

Verasight surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults from August 12 to 18, 2026. 48.1% of Americans oppose a proposed small modular nuclear reactor within two miles of home, compared with 23.5% who support it and 28.4% who are neutral.

Strong opposition accounts for 31.6%, compared with 7.9% strong support. Respondents read a definition of small modular reactors before assessing a proposed reactor within two miles of home.

## Topline

If a Small Modular Reactor (SMR)* were proposed to be constructed within a 2 mile radius of your home, how would you describe your level of support for the project? *Small modular reactors (SMRs) are advanced nuclear reactors that have a power capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit, which is about one-third of the generating capacity of traditional nuclear power reactors.

Small nuclear reactors near home draw more opposition than support.

Net findings combine adjacent response options from the same scale.

- Strongly oppose: 31.6%
- Neutral: 28.4%
- Somewhat oppose: 16.6%
- Somewhat support: 15.6%
- Strongly support: 7.9%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2026-08-12 → 2026-08-18
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.2%
- Module: AOM Survey #2026-152
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/aom-2026#q-24](https://reports.verasight.io/r/aom-2026#q-24)

## Citation

AOM Omnibus, fielded August 12-18, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.2%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/aom-2026#q-24](https://reports.verasight.io/r/aom-2026#q-24)