----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2001 8:35
AM
Subject: Re: Union of Concerned
Scientists
HI Ruth,
I have asked Dave Lochbaum directly whether or not he's anti-nuke. He has
said repeatedly that he is 'pro-safety'. He pointed out the reactors in
Virginia (I believe it was South Anna) as reactors that run safely and well.
What UCS and Dave insist on is that NRC follow its own rules. As Radsafers
I'm sure that you would agree that NRC should follow its own rules when it
comes to safety. For example the steam generators at Indian Point wouldn't
have had a tube rupture if NRC had followed its own rules and required IP to
replace their defective steam gen.
Watchdogs like UCS perform a vital function, and help keep nuclear plants
safe. Do they occasionally go 'too far'? That is an issue that can be
discussed.
Right now the problem that the nuclear power industry has to deal with is
the perception of danger. If terrorists can pull of the WTT attack, then other
supposedly 'impossible' attacks become quite possible. BUt UCS is not a
johny-come-lately to the issue of security at nuclear plants. This is
something they have worked on for the last few years.
peace
norm
RuthWeiner@AOL.COM wrote:
Norman Cohen says that UCS is not anti-nuke but
interested in safety. Of course that's what they are going to
SAY. Can anyone feature them saying "we are anti-nuke?" Who can fault
someone who claims an interest in safety? However, I do not
believe that they have any interest in "safety'' except in a sort of general
apple-pie-and-motherhood way. Their pronouncements and press releases
and activities all give the lie to a putative interest in "safety".
All this back and forth blasting away at NRC has nothing whatever to do with
"safety" nor does the ceaseless endless criticism of DOE, nor for that
matter do the exaggerations of the dangers of nuclear power and particularly
of transportation of radioactive materials.
Ruth
Ruth Weiner,
Ph. D.
ruthweiner@aol.com
--
Coalition for Peace and Justice and the UNPLUG Salem Campaign; 321
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COALITION FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE WEBSITE: http:/www.coalitionforpeaceandjustice.org
The Coalition for Peace and Justice is a chapter of Peace Action.
"First
they ignore you; Then they laugh at you; Then they fight you; Then you win.
(Gandhi) "Why walk when you can fly?" (Mary Chapin Carpenter)