It`s somewhat surprising that Robert Boyar (Voice, July 7), after 42 years with the nuclear industry, is not yet aware of the inherent dangers of atomic energy and the radioactive wastes generated over the past 50 years by this frightening technology.
One need only read the news to become cognizant of the immense amounts of radioactive waste stockpiled across the nation, the threat this poses to generations into the next ice age, and the appalling fact that neither the federal government nor the nuclear power industry has a clue as to its safe handling and disposition.
No matter how industry tries to dress it up, atomic power is neither clean nor safe. The sickening news from Chernobyl speaks volumes.
Just last month the Soviet Union asked for international help to relocate and give medical aid to more than 2 million people affected by the 1986 nuclear power plant accident. It is now estimated it will take 200 years to totally wipe out the catastrophic effects of the accident.
The utilities, the reactor vendors and the energy corporations all benefit from an energy system that is capital-intensive and centralized.
The atomic industry is controlled by a few corporations, giving them tremendous political and economic power. These companies are committed to a nuclear future and will say anything to protect their profits.
