Most Russians support developing nuclear energy: poll

MOSCOW, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Over half of Russians surveyed in a poll stand for developing the nuclear energy sector, while 25 percent think it should be phased out, the Interfax news agency reported on Wednesday.

The poll of 1,600 Russians conducted by the VTsIOM public opinion service in 153 communities in 46 Russian regions on September 24-25 showed 59 percent people support nuclear energy development.

Nearly half of the Russians polled, or 49 percent, believe the country should develop innovative and environmentally safe technologies to utilize other alternatives such wind power and solar energy.

The poll also showed that most Russians think a Chernobyl-like disaster in 1986 is possible to happen again.

Forty-seven percent of respondents in the poll believe the transportation and burial of radioactive wastes bring about the most harming effect on the environment.