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dirtyfriesMar 17, 2011
But of course
eraptorMar 18, 2011
When all else fails to convince the American public...lobby, lobby, lobby, campaign donation.
WhitebrmMar 17, 2011
Its just a little nuclear power plant.
Closed AccountMar 17, 2011
The nuclear industry creates its own policy and its own regulation. The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission is an independent group that controls the standards. Congress simply implements their policies.
I don't call that effective oversight, but just like the banks overseeing the banking collapse and bailouts, our government is run by business for business.
galivantstomMar 18, 2011
In this particular case, I really don't believe that the lobbying is to relax US standsrds which are the toughest in the world. I believe the right now, they are aiming at educatingall of the newbies in congress, particularly the house. Nuclear reactors are so costly to build in the United States because of major concerns about safety in construction and operational safety. Our standards are becoming tougher all of the time which is as it should be.
In Japan's case, these reactors date back to the 1970's. They should have been decommissioned years ago aand replaced with safer and better designed units.
Living near Fermi in metro Detroit, its operator, Detroit has built two reactors and is looking at building another. Fermi One was replaced Fermi Two which will be replaced by Fermi Three. These units don't last forever and should be decommissioned after 20 years or so. Technology changes and those changes neeed to be dealt with in a timely manner. Only a fool considers a thirty year product to be safe.
Nuclear energy energy can be safe but old technology must be periodically replaced by new technology. In Japan's cas, building reactor on the more dangerous side of the country was stupid. While bothe sides are at earthquake resistant, the side facing China and Korea is far less sussptible to a Tsunami such as this. They used poor planning and only focussed on dealing just one of the potential risks.
Right now, the role of industry lobby is more to educate than to push for favorable. That may or may not come later.