the power plant was built in the 1960s, when little opposition to nuclear projects was present. over the years beznau has been the scene of some anti-nuclear protests, but such opposition never widespread among the majority of the local population. the cantonal citizens systematically rejected all votes on early shutdown of existing plants and on building suspension of new ones. finally, in 2007 the cantonal parliament entrusted the government to act in order to promote the building of a new reactor.