Somewhat vitally, there's a certain amount of unease for a danger we can't sense and can't see. Nuclear power is scary for that reason, it doesn't matter if it's irrational or unfounded, the thought of being killed by an invisible foe is pretty universally terrifying.

I'd much rather see wind, tidal or geothermal anyway. In the scheme of things they have lower regulatory hurdles and can even be tinkered with in your back yard for the former. One of the houses I walk past on my way home has a wind turbine made out of a washing machine motor and PVC pipe, it's extremely cool to watch.