Nuclear power: a Greek tragedy

The present state and expected future of nuclear power and its regulation in the United States is outlined. The two major influences on the nuclear regulatory environment in the US, outside of the Three Mile Island accident, are the legal profession and the Congress. The increasing influence of the lawyers and the diverse and increasing interaction with the Congress is examined. It is concluded that nuclear power in the US has one fatal flaw - it cannot get public acceptance. The deep hatred and divisions within the US public on the issues of nuclear power, the uncertainties of accidents, the confusion over what is radiation, the fear of abnormalities and serious cancers in future generations, the author believes will lead to the demise of commercial nuclear power in the US. (U.K.)