Three Mile Island

Three Mile Island is a prime example of companies taking priority in profit over safety. Although no event can be predicted and not all safety measures can prevent the unknown, Three Mile Island was no exception. The partial meltdown of one of the two units was caused by a faulty cooling system valve, which not to mention was an ongoing issue. In one of the reports a worker at the plant warned of the possible consequences if the valves were not fixed but nothing was done in time.

The similarities are too common in today’s world of lightly regulated, irresponsible corporations. BP for example could have most likely prevented their accident on deep sea drill Horizon if a minor issue was fixed. Unfortunately due to the lack of response for minor issues accident happen and blame must fall somewhere.

In the responses to the public on the nuclear power plant issue, reported by Union of Concerned Scientist (UCS) and Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), they clearly provide different stand points to the situation. UCS does an excellent job explaining to the public the changes in safety and regulation for nuclear power plants. Further going into the average life span and high risk points of time for a nuclear plant. Obviously the article is against the opening of more nuclear plants till the issues are addressed further and proof is given to the public that proper safety measures are in place.

On the other hand there is the NEI who gives statistics of the previous year dated on the article proclaiming that nuclear power plants are at the safest in the industry and industry goals have exceeded their end of the year expectations. I believe that they are withholding crucial information for people to make an educated decision and in order for anything to move forward they need to disclose this information. Giving a previous year’s industry expectations and achievements do not qualify for enough information for the public. The NEI do an excellent job sugar coating the industry with glorified statistics of exceeding goals but it’s not enough without a plan for the future and a straight forward company.

To me personally it comes down to being properly informed and there are groups that will help and lead astray the education of the public. As a person who realizes the drive for profitability I tend to not believe what a corporation says but rather an external group doing research from the outside looking in, who have not been paid by the company for there statistics.