This is from a September 8, 2008 poll in Pennsylvania: “Eighty-seven percent of respondents to a new public opinion poll say they support allowing Three Mile Island to extend its operating license so the energy plant can continue to help meet the region’s electricity needs.” So, I don’t think Pennsylvanians are clinging to the fears they had thirty years ago.

As far as Nevada is concerned, the following is from a June 15, 2008 news article:

In a related question in this month’s poll, 45 percent of the respondents said a presidential candidate’s stance on Yucca Mountain will have no influence on how they vote in November’s election. Only 14 percent said a presidential candidate’s stance on the nuclear waste issue would have a major influence on their voting, while 38 percent said it would have some influence…. In the latest poll, most of the respondents who favored fighting Yucca Mountain were Democrats, 74 percent, or were women, 69 percent, or were from Clark County, 63 percent. “I find it very interesting that the opposition is centered in Las Vegas and heaviest among women and Democrats,” List said. “By contrast, it’s interesting the people in rural Nevada who are closest to the project and are along the rail line that would serve the project want to see us deal for benefits.” The poll found that 55 percent of respondents from rural areas felt Nevada should try to deal for money or benefits.

So, McCain certainly has some room to maneuver on this issue in Nevada. And notice that my post did not mention nuclear waste storage. Many Nevadans strongly support nuclear power even though they don’t want the waste stored there.