| The NRC has never met a relicensing bid they couldn't love, and industry shills have managed to maintain protective cover over its peccadillos for ever so long; but the tide appears at last to be turning.
In the wake of an AP investigation that effectively demonstrates how weakening NRC safety standards have enabled the continued operation of failing nuclear plants, it is nice to see members of Congress finally sitting up and taking notice.
Our own Bernie Sanders is one of three senators who are pressing this issue on behalf of the American people. The other two are Barbara Boxer of California and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island.
If you wonder why more congress-folk aren't lining up with them to storm the NRC barricades, consider how powerful the nuclear lobby...or any energy lobby...is in this country. With 2012 shaping up to be a real bone-shaker of an election, we are unlikely to see a lot of heroics among the incumbents.
Too bad.
It sounds as if a congressional investigation into safety standards and federal oversight at the NRC, such as Bernie and friends are calling for, could potentially bring to light evidence not only of dereliction of duty but also of criminal conspiracy. |
