Isabella Macaluso - Public Perception of Nuclear Energy

Student: Isabella Macaluso

Concentration: Sustainability Policy 

Introduction:
Isabella Macaluso was born and raised in Tampa, Florida and works in hazardous waste disposal. For her Academic Capstone Experience, she conducted a research project examining public perceptions of nuclear energy and nuclear waste storage in Florida. Drawing on Paul Slovic’s work on risk perception, Isabella designed a pilot survey to explore how communities understand both the benefits and risks of nuclear power, particularly concerns surrounding storage, safety, and historical mistrust. Her research emphasizes the role of psychological, cultural, and historical factors in shaping public attitudes and highlights the importance of building trust when developing long-term nuclear waste policy.

Location: State of Florida

1.  Public Perception of Nuclear Energy & Waste Storage — Florida Pilot Study
   Isabella’s project evaluated how Florida residents view nuclear development and underground waste repositories. While many participants acknowledged potential economic and energy benefits, the majority expressed strong opposition to living near nuclear waste storage facilities. Her findings show that skepticism is deeply tied to historical inequities, especially among Native American communities disproportionately affected by past nuclear policy decisions.

Key Responsibilities:

1. • Designed and administered an anonymous binary-response (Yes/No) survey using REDCap to encourage clear, decisive responses.
   • Developed variables measuring demographics, awareness, attitudes, economic concerns, and cultural/historical context.
   • Applied risk-perception theory to interpret how emotions, trust, and past injustices influence public opinion.
   • Analyzed responses to identify patterns in acceptance, resistance, and perceptions of fairness in nuclear waste policy.

Key Findings:

• • Participants supported nuclear power’s potential economic and tourism benefits, but opposed proximity to nuclear waste sites.
  • Native American respondents were more likely to be aware of historic nuclear storage issues such as Yucca Mountain.
  • Public concern is driven not only by technical risk, but by distrust, past environmental injustice, and lack of transparency.

Key Recommendations:

• • Prioritize trust-building through open communication, transparency, and acknowledgment of historical harms.
  • Engage impacted communities early, especially Native American populations and marginalized groups.
  • Emphasize environmental justice in policy development and site selection processes.
  • Use community-centered education strategies to clarify the benefits, risks, and safeguards of nuclear storage.
  • Support future research exploring equity-focused approaches to nuclear policy implementation in Florida.