Nuclear power in crisis: the new class assault
The nuclear industry, in spite of its success in generating electricity, is besieged by a steadily growing number of opponents who have the sympathy and support of President Carter. A review of the arguments against nuclear energy shows them to be far-ranging and uncompromisingly hostile. Opponents, focusing on issues of waste disposal and economics, have exploited the media to draw world attention to their cause of preventing the construction and licensing of nuclear facilities. The author concludes that the opponents comprise an educated and articulate group who benefited from technology and who are now attacking that same technology. Four events--the civil rights movement, Vietnam War, environmental movement, and Watergate scandal--combined to cause distrust in all but a simplistic view of life. The result of their efforts could be the failure to produce either Utopia or adequate energy. The nuclear potential may be re-evaluated, however, as the expectations for coal and solar power are found to be unrealistic.
- OSTI ID:
- 6674753
- Journal Information:
- Energy Dly.; (United States), Journal Name: Energy Dly.; (United States) Vol. 6:135; ISSN ENDAD
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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ADVERSARIES
BEHAVIOR
CONSTRUCTION
ENERGY POLICY
ENERGY SUPPLIES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INTERVENORS
LICENSING
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER
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PUBLIC OPINION
PUBLIC RELATIONS
REGULATIONS
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS