Re: Apollo Lawsuit

[Bernard L Cohen <blc+@pitt.edu>]

On Mon, 5 Jul 1999, Charles Meyer wrote:

> Where's the NRC in all this?

	--NRC (actually AEC at that time) was regulating the releases and
constantly negotiating with the plant operators over them. Apparently, at
that time, regulations had some flexibility and were subject to
negotiations. At the trial, it was conceded that NRC did not consider the
problems important enough to shut down the plant, even on a temporary
basis.
	This whole trial was a ridiculous exercise, with lots of mistakes
by the defense, in my view. I was a consultant for the defense after the
verdict, and can give details if anyone is interested. I have a transcript
of the trial if anyone wants to borrow it.
	 This is important because it is the only case (to my knowledge)
where a court awarded big money for damage by radiation released to the
environment. The evidence presented by the plaintiff was very weak and
could easily be rebutted. I am therefore confident that the new trial will
have a happier outcome.

> 
Bernard L. Cohen
Physics Dept.
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Tel: (412)624-9245
Fax: (412)624-9163
e-mail: blc+@pitt.edu


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