Chernobyl Nuclear Accident Congressional Hearings Transcript

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never survive the kind of process contemplated In our proposed leolslatlon;
a reactor that exploits the best that the technology had to offer In
preventing core melt accidents might well prove to be the only easily
llcensable concept.
There Is no reason why safety and economics have to be sworn enemies.
Chernobyl shows the danger of focusing on safety after the Inherent
features of the plant are already fixed. General design criteria, such as
those Issued In the 1960's, did much to assure that U.S. reactors were
fundamentally sound--not fundamentally flawed. We can do better still.
Work now underway on Improved design criteria and advanced reactors holds
great promise for the nuclear option. A modernized licensing process will
provide the framework for maintaining the strong focus on safety that 1s
needed to protect the Interests of Investors, the ratepayers, and the
public at
large.
Mr. Chairman, this completes my prepared statement. I would be pleased to
answer any questions you or members of the Committee may have at this time.