Retired Reflections

Chernobyl - Living in a Nuclear town

It is hard to believe it has been 20 years since this awful disaster. But even more amazing to me is how we are beginning to see a change in the viability of nuclear power despite Chernobyl. I live in a nuclear town. We have a nuclear power plant 20 miles from my house. The town came into being because of the atom bomb as the plutonium that was used was manufactured in secret here. When we came to Richland in the 1970's, there were 4 plants being built though only one was completed. I was nervous about it as I am definitely an environmentalist.

But what I hated most was the attitude of nearly everyone who worked here - from the ironworker building the plant to the phd nuclear scientist - was the attitude of nuclear definitely being safe as if we were stupid to question it. Ralph Nader visited our town and there were many pickets at his speech.

I always felt that the scientists owed us more. They needed to admit that the questions that were being asked were important and not to be dismissed. They had the answers but we needed a dialogue. That is one of the reasons it has taken so long to have nuclear power recognized for what it is - a clean energy source that we can afford.

Here in Eastern Washington we have really clean air. When I fly, I can point to Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams and Ranier to the West. To the East one can see the Blue Mtns. It is nearly always clear.

Many of the local scientists here have worked with the scientists at Chernobyl over the years to help with the cleanup. A good friend who is an environmental engineer has just written a book on the subject. National Geographic had an excellent article last month on the area. I think we are all aware of the dangers but also know the benefits. It is time to move forward.

posted by Mary @ 8:29 AM