The Chernobyl series had the very unfortunate and unintended effect of making people think nuclear energy isn't safe.
Nuclear energy is cheap, it's the safest energy source available, there are no emissions.
Coal plants emit more radiation. The nuclear waste can be dealt with, and is not a big deal.
Also, a possible problem that might kill a couple thousand people in a thousand years is much less of a problem than the millions that die and will die due to more carbon and pollution in the air.