Nuclear power: safe by any measure. [Re-examination of WASH-1400]

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · Electr. Perspect.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7359422

Rasmussen, N C

The author was the main investigator in a study authorized by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission to examine nuclear safety. The results were published in a report, WASH-1400, Reactor Safety Study: An Assessment of Accident Risks in U.S. Commercial Nuclear Power Plants. Here the author re-examines nuclear safety and presents the results in reasoned, understandable terms. The safety of nuclear power is questioned as several states and local governments are considering some form of moratorium on nuclear power stations within their jurisdiction. The fact is cited that during several thousands of reactor-years of reactor operation, not a single member of the public has been killed or injured by a nuclear power plant accident. The environmental impact of nuclear power plants as compared with coal-fired power plants is very small. The opposition cannot take issue with the cost, since estimations indicate that the 100 nuclear power plants scheduled by 1980 will save U.S. society about $6 billion annually in energy cost. After reviewing ECCS safety, probable accidents, fatality odds, genetic risks, the morality issue and property damage, and terrorists actions, the author summarizes that ''even if domestic nuclear power programs were stopped, there are six other nations that have active programs producing nuclear explosives.'' There are thousands of these ready-made devices distributed throughout Europe and it appears that these devices are a more desirable target for potential terrorists. (MCW)

• Research Organization: Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge
• OSTI ID: 7359422
• Journal Information: Electr. Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Electr. Perspect.; (United States) Vol. 2; ISSN ELPED
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220900 -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Reactor Safety
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
ACCIDENTS
ATOMIC ENERGY CONTROL
BY-PRODUCTS
ECCS
ECONOMICS
ENGINEERED SAFETY SYSTEMS
ENGINEERING
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
POWER PLANTS
RADIATION PROTECTION
REACTOR PROTECTION SYSTEMS
REACTORS
SABOTAGE
SAFEGUARDS
SAFETY
SAFETY ENGINEERING
THEFT
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WEAPONS