Inside the Nuclear Power Plant

Anthony DiMaggio interviews a former Clinton Power Plant employee and a current Illinois nuclear engineer to uncover past and present questions about nuclear power.

"Nuclear power is the safe, renewable, cheap, and accessible." "There are no alternatives to nuclear power; and anyone who disagrees is either severely misinformed or lying." "Those that criticize nuclear power are stubbornly restricting the potential of an industry that could solve the nation's energy problems." "Nuclear power could supply the United States safely and indefinitely for the next few hundred years."

These are some of the same lines we have heard in the United States over the last fifty years. Nuclear proponents bask in nuclear power's supposed success, heralding its infinite possibilities throughout state and national media outlets.

Why do we never hear about the drawbacks of nuclear power in the corporate media? Why are those supporting and profiting from nuclear power so afraid of any negative publicity or inconvenient facts that may arise?

Americans are not supposed to understand that those who own and control the corporate media serve to profit off of the proliferation of nuclear technology. General Electric and Westinghouse, both major nuclear designers retain substantial holdings in America's media system. After all, it would not be appropriate for them to expose the dangers their technology poses to America if it hinders profits.

Predictably, those that own the corporate media have proven that they lack the character and moral competency needed to expose the reality of the imminent dangers involved in nuclear power. This leaves citizens with the responsibility to address the dangers inherent in projects like nuclear power.

The Indy has interviewed two of them. One is a worker at the Braidwood nuclear plant; the other is a former employee of the Clinton nuclear plant. Their interviews are crucial in that they present the benefits and dangers of nuclear power. The interviews are instrumental because they disprove many of the myths presented by the nuclear industry: that nuclear power is inherently safe, cheap, and well-regulated.

- Anthony DiMaggio

Clinton Plant Worker Interview
Braidwood Plant Worker Interview

Clear-Cut Profits: Bush's "Healthy Forests Initiative"

"We need to understand if you let kindling build up and there's a lightning strike, you're going get yourself a big fire," - George W. Bush trying to explain why cutting more trees will prevent fires, August 22, 2002.

Some have called the Bush Administration perhaps the most anti-environmental administration in the history of the United States. While that may be up to debate, it seems like every day there is a new assault on our air, water, and wilderness. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, and I saw the aftereffects of misguided timber policy firsthand. I spent many summer days hiking in the western Oregon Cascades, and I know all too well how logging large sections of forest at the same time, a practice known as clearcutting, destroys ecosystems and renders forests virtual wastelands that take at the barest minimum, 40 years to recover. Such land that has been clearcut is more susceptible to destructive fires and devastating erosion. And yet the Bush Administration has, in the name of fighting fire, drafted a new initiative known paradoxically as "Healthy Forests Initiative" - an initiative that overrides legal and citizen appeals, and authorizes large-scale logging operations to pay for forest management. [Full Story]

The Real History of Nuclear Power

Plagued by chronic failures, the nuclear industry has proven consistently unreliable over the last 50 years when one looks at the record of nuclear accidents. Unfortunately, the American public remains ignorant to the many nuclear accidents due to the media's complacency with the transitional energy corporations that develop nuclear power plants. Conglomerates like General Electric (which interestingly enough owns NBC), Bechtel, and Westinghouse (which owns CBS) are responsible for stifling media criticism in their quest for profits, despite the cost to the environment and citizens.

There are 103 commercial nuclear reactors currently operating in the U.S., many of which are located hear urban areas. This should concern all Americans, considering that nuclear technology is dangerous due to: 1-a lack of adequate regulation 2-the negative side effects that accompany low and high levels of radiation exposure, and 3-the constant threat of toxic dumping. Nuclear power is also unnecessary under current environmental conditions. Many other sources of cheaper, renewable energy are available that could help reduce reliance on nuclear power. [Full Story]

Downtown Normal Leans Green

Flowers framing the path bloom in little bundles around the shrubbery edging. Cool airy courtyards form inviting sanctuaries from the busy city rush.

But this haven isn't Central Park in New York or Grant Park in Chicago. It is downtown Normal...or soon will be. This piece of nature is a new urban environmental advancement called rooftop gardening.

These rooftop gardens have been used to provide a natural area with multiple environmental benefits. Advantages such as reducing building heating and cooling costs have been realized in New York, Chicago, Portland, Austin, and other cities throughout the world. These rooftop gardens will soon be incorporated into the renewed downtown Normal. [Full Story]

How Green are the Town of Normal's Green Building Plans?

The Town of Normal is planning to do a huge renovation of their downtown area within the next few years. It remains to be seen if the Town of Normal will support the thriving independent businesses in the area through giving them a place to reside after the renovation. It would be a shame if they kicked out the local businesses for larger chains.

However, the plans for the renovation have a significant hope for improving the health and environment of the downtown area. The plans for all the buildings will be to fit the standards of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

Steven Westerdahl, head of community development and downtown renewal, states, "These plans are to show that we are taking a leadership role in the community. It demonstrates to other building contractors that these plans benefit the builders and the community." [Full Story]