Future of nuclear power after Chernobyl
If nuclear power plants are to have a future in the US, existing plants must demonstrate a safe and accident-free operation, the public must perceive that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is independent and objective, safety corrections must make operating plants more reliable, and the US must develop an acceptable way to dispose of high-level radioactive wastes. Focusing on safe operation and public confidence in the NRC, the author examines the consequences of the Chernobyl accident and compares public opinion reactions with those following the Three Mile Island accident. He notes the recent NRC decisions have been counterproductive to the nuclear industry, but that other countries have demonstrated that the goal of safe nuclear power is achievable. The NRC will have to increase the level of public participation in the regulatory process if it hopes to restore its former level of credibility.
- OSTI ID:
- 6797202
- Journal Information:
- Va. J. Nat. Resour. Law; (United States), Vol. 6:2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
PUBLIC OPINION
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
SAFETY STANDARDS
US NRC
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
ATTITUDES
CHERNOBYLSK-4 REACTOR
LEGAL ASPECTS
THREE MILE ISLAND-2 REACTOR
ACCIDENTS
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
GRAPHITE MODERATED REACTORS
LWGR TYPE REACTORS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
POWER PLANTS
POWER REACTORS
PWR TYPE REACTORS
REACTORS
STANDARDS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
THERMAL REACTORS
US ORGANIZATIONS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS
220900* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Reactor Safety
290600 - Energy Planning & Policy- Nuclear Energy