U. S. Nuclear Lobbying Leading to a Possible Catastrophe29 May
The U.S. government has failed to learn that industry regulation is absolutely essential to insure safety and stability in large-scale industries that affect the entire nation. The absence of regulation led to the catastrophic financial turmoil in 2008 and the horrific environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico during 2010. The United States is ill prepared to confront yet another disaster, this time a nuclear power plant calamity. Nuclear lobbying influence has stifled the imposition of regulation that might prevent a Japanese Fukushima style meltdown that occurred in 2011. The following statements show that Japan can learn from its mistakes, while the United States has failed so far in that regard.
Japanese Prime Minister during Fukushima Disaster – Lessons Learned
“In an unusually stark warning, Japan’s prime minister during last year’s nuclear crisis told a parliamentary inquiry Monday that the country should discard nuclear power as too dangerous, saying the Fukushima accident had pushed Japan to the brink of ‘national collapse.’ ” May 28, 2012
U.S. Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) – Lessons Learned: None
“I am confident that the need for new nuclear power plants will emerge beyond 2020 because the long-term fundamentals for nuclear energy remain sound,” said William Johnson, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Progress Energy. Johnson also serves as NEI chairman. May 23, 2012
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) – Lessons Learned: None
“The NRC has never rejected a license renewal application of a nuclear plant. It has previously renewed the licenses of 72 of the nation’s 104 commercial nuclear reactors…” From 1991 to present time
Tags: Fukushima, License Renewal. NEI, Lobbying, NRC, Nuclear Energy Institute, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, William Johnson