Mary O`Driscoll`s ”The choice against nuclear energy” in the Tribune discusses the French experience with nuclear power, but she conveniently misses the big picture. France has increased its production of nuclear-generated electricity until it is now approximately 80 percent of total generation, while drastically reducing the production of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxides. These, of course, are the major
contributors to the greenhouse effect and acid rain.
While the American Medical Association recognizes the advantages to human health of nuclear energy over other forms of electricity generation, the actions of well-meaning but technologically uninformed people have caused delays in construction or outright cancellation of some nuclear power plants. The electricity not produced by these delayed or canceled nuclear power plants has been made up by use of coal-fired plants. There are estimates of 20,000 to 50,000 people per year having their lives shortened by the pollution released by the coal-fired plants.
Sensible environmentalists are recognizing that safe, clean nuclear power is the only way to protect both our environment and the economy. I started working with nuclear technology 42 years ago, and I would not want to base the future of our country`s economy or our environment upon wishful thinking that unpredictable sunshine and wind will save us.
