Authors

• Kiljunen, Pentti (University of Tampere. Department of Local Government Studies)

Keywords

coal, energy, energy consumption, energy generation, energy policy, energy prices, energy supply, environment, environmental degradation, fossil fuels, fuel oils, gas fuels, hydropower, non-renewable energy, nuclear energy, political power, renewable energy, solar energy, wind energy

Abstract

The survey studied Finnish public opinion on energy policy issues. The data are part of an extensive survey series launched in 1983. The respondents' conceptions, opinions, beliefs, assessments, attitudes and knowledge about various energy issues were studied by presenting several statements about energy production. The respondents were also asked in what direction the electricity power production should be developed in Finland and how important they regarded the following factors connected with energy production to be: price, non-polluting energy, availability, domestic energy sources, safety, and production reliability. Moreover, the respondents were asked whether they would prefer nuclear power to coal, and who has real power in the decision-making regarding energy policy. Finally, the respondents' views on what kind of impact constructing new nuclear power plants in Finland or giving up the use of nuclear power would have on Finnish society.

Background variables included the respondent's gender, age, size of the municipality, region, occupation, education, and which political party R would vote for if the parliamentary elections were held at that time.