This could be the end!" warned the headlines on March 28, 1979, just after the world's worst nuclear power plant accident had occurred at Three-Mile-Island near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Children and pregnant women within a five-mile radius of the plant were advised to evacuate the area. In all, over 140,000 people in the vicinity of the' plant packed their bags and left their homes and jobs, while millions of others all along the East Coast worried about the possible outcome. Fortunately, despite serious damage to the plant estimated at 2 to 4 billion dollars, most of the radiation was contained. Nevertheless, it will take many years before the total effect on the area's resident and environment can be determined.As the world's supplies of fossil fuels, including oil, coal, and natural gas, continue to shrink, countries are trying to develop alternative energy sources. One of the most controversial solutions to this' growing' problem lies in nuclear energy. At present, the construction of nuclear power plants in the United States as almost reached a standstill. Plans for many nuclear facilities have been postponed or even cancelled as a result of both the declining demand for electricity and strong public opposition. People are becoming increasingly concerned about the dangers that accompany nuclear power.
đang được dịch, vui lòng đợi..
