Peter-

That's exactly what actually happened at Three Mile Island in 1979 but the public didn't hear about it until 8 years later, and those who actually learned something from reading the short article were about 6.

So now we know that the hydrogen exhaust valve system is defective in the Mark-1 reactor, and that the spent fuel pool positioned for convenience above and to one side of the reactor vessel makes radioactive water spills more likely in the event of an explosion. Do you suppose the NRC is going to order the 23 US nuclear plants that are operating with that design to close for retrofitting? Stupid question! The NRC still hasn't rescinded its order to extend the license of Vermont Yankee for another 20 years; only the courageous actions on the part of the Vermont Legislature and its Governor have stalled this order.

It's also little comfort that the warnings of several courageous whistleblowers (two affiliated with the Union of Concerned Scientists) has been vindicated in spades.

RANT, RANT! expletives deleted

Charley Noble