Nuclear engineering in Lithuania : public opinion and public information

Abstract

Although in pursuance of the agreements with the European Union the Ignalina Power Plant will be shut down, Lithuania takes into consideration its energy-related security and it is seriously considering the possibility of setting up another nuclear reactor. Public attitude towards the construction of a new nuclear reactor is a precondition for successful development of the nuclear engineering. To access the factors determining the attitude of Lithuanian citizens towards the construction of a new nuclear reactor and the development of nuclear engineering in the country a questionnaire was developed. The analysis of the results of the survey has shown that considerable part of respondents with other than natural-science background have a wrong understanding of the problems arising in nuclear engineering. Authors suggest that interdisciplinary education could strengthen the positive social environment towards nuclear engineering.