Friends of the Earth

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The worldwide organization that's called Friends of the Earth is one of the most effective environmental groups in existence today. However, although FOE publishes its own journal—the monthly tabloid titled NotMan Apart— far too few MOTHERreaders regularly get a chance to see that publication . . . and that's why we've arranged to bring you this bimonthly column, which is prepared by the staff of FOE/NMA.

The Reagan administration is continuing to work overtime to revive the ailing nuclear industry. For several months after the attempt on the President's life back in April, the administration seemed able to get whatever programs and concessions it wanted from Congress. But by the time Mr. Reagan returned from his four-week August vacation, the tide showed signs of turning. Polls indicated that the Chief Officer's popularity was slipping, and some members of Congress gradually began to get the nerve to challenge a few of the President's environmental and energy projects.

THE NUCLEAR SUBSIDY

President Reagan firmly supports an expanded nuclear program, so it was no surprise that his nuclear power policy (issued in early October) was concerned mainly with the alleged "morass of regulations" that has slowed the licensing of nuclear power plants. It now takes from 10 to 14 years to get a reactor from planning stage to full-power licensing ... the President proposes to shorten that to from six to eight years, "as is typical in some countries". (The lead time for nuclear reactors in France and Japan is now about 12 to 14 years. The only country which might now be able to equal the President's goal is the Soviet Union, where—until the accident at Three Mile Island made the potential for destruction evident—reactors were built without containment domes.)

To help prop up the financially ailing industry, the administration has agreed to pay "in excess of $100,000,000" toward the costs of cleaning up Three Mile Island, which are expected to exceed $1,000,000,000. An electric utility fund will bear some of the cost, as will the states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The owner of the plant, General Public Utilities, will shell out $245,000,000, and insurance will pick up the rest of the tab. Of course, one way or the other, it's the consumers and taxpayers who will actually have to raise the money.

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