Alexander Prudnik, Chief research officer of Institute of sociology of RAS (Nizhny Novgorod branch):

— During making such polls, we found absolutely strict correlation between level of information amount and apprehension regarding nuclear power sector. The better and more complete information received by local population from the nuclear power branch is, the more positive is the attitude. According to the poll in Kaliningrad we see that atomists carried out good work

According to poll performed by research group CIRKON in Kaliningrad region from 21 January till 10 February, 45% of population of the region do not object against construction of Baltic NPP. Answering the question which advantages they see in that a nuclear power plant will be built in their region, the region population most of all names the following ones: appearing of new jobs (50%, in Neman district — 80%), energy independence of he region (43%, in the capital — 52%), reduction in price for electricity (37%, in Neman district 53%). As the poll showed, some citizens of Kaliningrad expressed potential readiness to change their attitude to construction of NPP to the better one subject to some conditions. To the most attractive conditions, fulfillment of which, as the respondents declared, may improve their attitude to construction of NPP, such ones as appropriation of jobs at NPP construction and in the future for NPP itself for residents of the region, as well as remuneration conditions, may be referred. Such preferences are also important as involvement of enterprises of the region in the NPP construction, possibility to keep part of tax proceeds in the area of the NPP location, as well as to obtain full access to information regarding construction of the power plant. According to polls data, aggregate shares of supporters and conventional supporters of NPP (i.e. those who have good and neutral opinion about the construction) subject to fulfillment of the said conditions, may make in the region capital — 63%, in Sovetsk — 48%, in Neman district — 72%. Total amount of the selection totality is 900 respondents.

Alexander Prudnik, Chief research officer of Institute of sociology of RAS (Nizhny Novgorod branch):

— As we see from results of the poll, for local residents fulfillment of their conditions is of much importance. Aggregate shares of supporters and conventional supporters of the NPP (i. e. those who have good and neutral attitude to the construction) subject to fulfillment of the conditions expressed by them may make in the region capital – 63%, in Sovetsk – 48%, in Neman district – 72%.

I think it is caused by that after the Chernobyl accident strong negative attitude to nuclear power sector in general was formed in the society. For instance, it was expressed in campaign for ceasing of construction and against commissioning of nuclear heating plant in Nizhny Novgorod, on which Boris Nemtsov built his political career some time ago, who headed this campaign. The set was the same everywhere – strong negative attitude to nuclear power sector as potentially dangerous and threatening. And then development of our nuclear power sector was stopped, that is construction of the existing plants was complete, but actually there were no new ones. When in due course decision was made to revive nuclear power sector projects and construction of new facilities, the problem arose – how to overcome public opinion, its mood. It was clear that there is only one way: in reply to quite natural fear in the society, it is necessary to explain real benefit to the citizens – appearing of new jobs, cheaper electric power and energy independence of the region where NPP is being constructed. Such real positive result is decisive in making choice for local citizens. And here changes of social and economic conditions to the worse were added. As a result, it was the opportunity to have new jobs and higher social standards began to dominate upon the fear.

During making such polls, we found absolutely strict correlation between level of information amount and apprehension regarding nuclear power sector. The better and more complete information received by local population from the nuclear power branch is, the more positive is the attitude. According to the poll in Kaliningrad we see that atomists carried out good work.