Nixed Russian N-plant

[Gary Schroeder <schroede@mail.sep.bnl.gov>]

Some have chosen to see this "Greenpeace intervention" in Russia as further
evidence of illogical meddling.  Some are irritated that nuclear power, the
"ecologically sound" alternative is rejected on the basis of hysteria.
However, there are some other factors to consider; this referendum may have
been just the right decision for this region and it people.

Consider that most public workers in Russia right now are either woefully
underpaid or not paid at all (recall the recent worker sit-in at a nuclear
power plant in Russia).  If current circumstances continue, what do you
think the level of motivation will be for the people that would eventually
staff or build such a plant?  While nuclear may carry some ecological
benefits, those benefits can only be realized if plants are operated by
conscientious and motivated workers.  Disgruntled, apathetic workers are
unlikely to devote the attention that an operational reactor demands in
order to run safely.  This may be a gross generalization, but I don't think
it can be discarded when considering such an important decision.  

And, as others have pointed out, let's not forget the Chernobyl factor.  I
don't think anyone is going to ask whether this new plant is an RBMK-design
or not.  They may have made the right decision...although possibly for the
wrong reasons.
===============
Gary L. Schroeder
Brookhaven National Laboratory
gs1@bnl.gov