Re: More Greenpeace intervention

["PAUL E RUHTER" <RUH@inel.gov>]

*** Reply to note of 12/10/96 11:00
Supervisor, Radiation Dosimetry & Records
User ID-RUH; Mail Stop-4147;  Ext. 6-1973
A brief response to Christopher. I believe that nuclear power is the
safest and environmentally friendliest source of energy to power the
needs of large populations. This belief is based on over 30 years of
working with nuclear power and living next to the plants, including
Three Mile Island! It is based on having read countles objective
evaluations of all the options and having seen many in operation.

The technology for waste disposal exists and does not require additional
research. The cost is reasonable well known and has been included in the
current price of nuclear power. The Government has been collecting the
surcharge and using it to reduce the annual deficits because the
politicians can not agree on the location to use the technology and
solve the problem. Which raises a poignant question - What other
significant power source can generate a major portion of this nation's
power needs for decades and store the resulting waste products within
the plant at essentially no risk to the environment?

As a result of the politically unacceptability of nuclear power, many
utilities are gearing up to use more natural gas. The use of natural gas
for power production and home heating entails much more risk than
nuclear power; people have died from natural gas explosions as a result
of leaks/failures in the distribution systems. The slate for nuclear
power in this country is still clean.

Paul Ruhter