One thing Hollywood is very good at is scaring the bejesus out of Americans — even when it is merely spreading false fears.
A 1979 movie called “The China Syndrome” chronicled a nuclear power accident that could kill tens of thousands of Americans with radiation poisoning. The title came from a spooky fairy tale scenario where the nuclear material would melt the earth right through to its core and then down to China. The Three Mile Island accident in Pennsylvania less than two weeks after the film was released further panicked Americans about the safety of nuclear power plants.
Despite no deaths or injuries to plant workers or the surrounding community, the damage to the industry was done and was nearly fatal. As the chart shows, the nuclear industry failed to produce any new nuclear plants for nearly four decades.
Read more in the Washington Times here.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of C3.
