Safety of nuclear plants questioned

Florida Times-Union: Safety of nuclear plants questioned

26 new nuclear plants are planned by 17 utilities across the country, and safety continues to be a huge topic of concern. First is the risk of an accident during operation of a reactor, with Three Mile Island and Chernobyl being the most dramatic examples. Second is the danger that spent fuel will pose a health hazard as it is stored for the next million years. Other possible risks include terrorist attacks, human error, and possible accident during refueling when safety features are shut down.

"The NRC is terrified that if they were to make a statement that imposed additional regulations on the next generation of reactors to make them safer, then it would start people wondering if existing reactors weren't safe now," Ed Lyman, senior scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists, said. "They are afraid it would cast doubt on their regulatory judgment, and that has really stymied progress and real development."

Power plants vs. solar or wind or other energy continues to be debated.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State GOP's plan to take over House and Senate in 2010 leaked

ARKANSAS: Biodiesel industry in Arkansas hasn't grown as officials had hoped

FLORIDA: U.S. Sen. Martinez to step down, unexpectedly

GEORGIA: Private school tuition loophole exploited by some

KENTUCKY: Census data accuracy of big concern to Kentucky officials

LOUISIANA: Number of colleges in Louisiana to be looked at by commission

MISSISSIPPI: School nurses begin training to help students fight fat

NORTH CAROLINA: Rep. Brad Miller gets death threat over health care reform

SOUTH CAROLINA: Fewer take part in tax-free weekend

TENNESSEE: Environmental challenges abound in Tennessee for solar industry

VIRGINIA: McDonnell, gubernatorial candidate, offers plan to privatize ABC stores to pay for roads

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