Nuclear energy: salvaging the atomic age

Journal Article · · Wilson Q.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-77425-6· OSTI ID:6022562

Weinberg, A M

The history of atomic power is reviewed from the first chain reaction in Chicago in 1942 to the worst-to-date accident at the Three Mile Island power plant in March, 1979. While media coverage during the Three Mile Island incident made the public aware of some reactor hardware and radiation hazards, Weinberg suggests that an acceptable nuclear future should have six characteristics: increased physical isolation of reactors, further technical improvements, separation of generation and distribution, professionalization of the nuclear cadre, heightened security, and public education about the hazards of radiation. Weinberg feels the question of low-level radiation effects to be critical to public acceptance of nuclear energy. Since the effects (if any) are so rarely seen because exposures are so small, the issue may be beyond the ability of science to decipher. Weinberg again explains his reference to nuclear energy as a Faustian Bargain: ''...nuclear energy, that miraculous and quite unsuspected source of energy, demands an unprecedented degree of expertise, attention to detail, and social stability. In return, man has, in the breeder reactor, an inexhaustible energy source.''

• OSTI ID: 6022562
• Journal Information: Wilson Q.; (United States), Journal Name: Wilson Q.; (United States) Vol. 3:3; ISSN WIQUD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ACCIDENTS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENERGY
ENERGY PARKS
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
INDUSTRY
NUCLEAR ENERGY
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR INDUSTRY
NUCLEAR PARKS
NUCLEAR POWER
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POPULATIONS
POWER
POWER PLANTS
POWER REACTORS
PUBLIC OPINION
PUBLIC RELATIONS
PWR TYPE REACTORS
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
REACTORS
REVIEWS
RISK ASSESSMENT
SECURITY
SITE SELECTION
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
THERMAL REACTORS
THREE MILE ISLAND-2 REACTOR
WASTES
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS