the nuclear debate has been fuelled by fears of catastrophic events and government coverups which were somewhat proven by the events of Chernobyl.
The technology was ahead of the politics and the repercussions of systemic neglect or failure are more profound with nuclear fuel as with coal. Protests against nuclear power are expressions of fear with some small precedent in fact. Not all people are happy the effects of science gone wrong.
Nuclear power is much more preferable to coal power but coal is politically the safer option.
