Nuclear Power Controversy

A. David Rossin (“Nuclear Power: Small Risks, Big Gains,” Op-Ed Page, March 26) may well believe that the “technical lessons from Three Mile Island have been . . . learned and learned well,” but this conclusion is as misguided as his facts are distorted.

In fact, as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has acknowledged, nearly four-fifths of the nation’s reactors have not completed implementing the requirements that arose from the TMI accident 10 years ago. Unfinished items include the very control rooms, instruments and control systems that Rossin touts as evidence of nuclear power’s safety. The NRC’s top safety official admitted that many of the unimplemented items have great safety significance, and that he doesn’t understand why they remain unfinished.

If the industry has returned to its pre-TMI level of complacency, unfortunately so has the NRC, which has failed to act against any of the delinquent utilities. Worse, the NRC recently argued (unsuccessfully) in federal court that it need not consider certain safety matters at a Pennsylvania reactor because the odds of an accident are “remote and speculative.” So much for the lessons of TMI.

Rossin should also learn how to read public opinion polls. The AP poll found that 55% are willing to let existing reactors operate, but nearly 70% opposed any new reactor construction--a finding that is in line with every recent poll undertaken.

The fact is that the American people wisely are unwilling to trade one environmental calamity (the greenhouse effect) for another (nuclear power and its radioactive waste). There are better alternatives: increased energy efficiency to start, along with energy conservation; and further development of solar, wind, geothermal, and other renewable energy forms.

In an age where we are learning we must reduce our production of all unnecessary toxic waste, it makes sense to stop producing the most unnecessary toxic waste of them all: nuclear waste.

MICHAEL MARIOTTE

Executive Director, Nuclear

Information and Resource Center

Washington, D.C.