Weekend Edition
April 22 - 24, 2011
http://www.counterpunch.org/willis04222011.htmlSame Old Tricks From the Nuclear Gang
The People Who Brought You Fukushima
By SAUL LANDAU and JACK WILLIS
For 60 years the nuclear industry has promised the world cheap, safe and clean energy. As the Japanese government continues to extend its nuclear evacuation zone and with the eerie glow of the Fukishima plant as background, the pushers of nuclear power – including the President – still demand subsidies for new plants of Congress. As another Chernobyl-size disaster looms, the energy-fixated “problem solvers” continue to suffer from both temporary blindness and long-term amnesia – ignoring or down-playing the history of nuclear “mishaps.”
Behind the push for this “clean” (no fossil fuel emissions) energy source, lies a deeper motive. Would you believe money? In 2009, the government subsidized the nuclear industry with $18.5 billion, which did not cover unanticipated costs of “the next generation of plants.” The Nuclear Energy Institute – euphemism for industry trade group – now wants $20 billion more in loan-guarantees “to kick-start the long-awaited industry revival.” (Jim Snyder, The Hill June 21, 2009)
Before re-funding the nuclear gang, Members of congress might look deeper into and also beyond the current catastrophe. The Congressional Research Service could provide them with reports of some of the numerous U.S. nuclear accidents.
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