Using consensus messaging and social identity to influence perceptions about nuclear power

In recent years, nuclear energy has regained public interest as a method of maintaining reliable power supply during the transition away from fossil fuels and other non-renewable energy sources towards renewable energy. However, lack of public support for maintaining or expanding nuclear power, particularly from Democrats, stands in the way of widespread adoption in the U.S. We use an experimental design (N = 1,624) to investigate consensus messaging, social identity cues, and topic frames as potential message features that alter public support for nuclear power. Results offer practical implications about improving how nuclear power is described to different audiences in public communication about science.