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The Three Mile Island Accident Three Mile Island Accident was a partial nuclear meltdown in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania on March 28, 1979. It was the worst accident in U.S. commercial nuclear power plant history. The partial meltdown resulted in the release of small amounts of radioactive gases and radioactive iodine into the environment. The accident began at 4 a.m. with failures in the non-nuclear secondary system, followed by a stuck open pilot-operated relief valve (PORV) in the primary system, which allowed large amounts of nuclear reactor coolant to escape. Mechanical failures were caused due to inadequate training and human factors. NRC’s (Nuclear Regulation Commission) authorized the release of 40,000 gallons of radioactive waste water directly in the Susquehanna River which led to a loss of credibility from the press and community. In the end the reactor was brought under control and there were no reported cases of cancer and the number of cases would be so small it would never be possible to detect them. The accident rose awareness and provoked discussion on nuclear power safety.
Tags: Environmental, Energy, Political, Legal
The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System was built between 1974 and 1977 after the 1973 oil crisis caused a sharp rise in oil prices in the U.S. There was opposition to the Trans Alaska Pipeline System from Alaska Native groups and conservationists. Alaska Natives were upset that the pipeline would cross the land traditionally claimed by a variety of native groups, but would not gain any economic benefits. Conservationists were angry that the pipeline would be an incursion into America’s last wilderness. Opponents of the pipeline thought the pipeline would interfere with the migration of caribou. The NEPA National Environmental Policy Act allowed groups opposing the pipeline legal grounds to halt the project. The clause in NEPA required a study of alternatives and another clause required an environmental impact statement. The lawsuit halted the construction of the pipeline from 1970-1973 but the construction of the pipeline began in 1974. Because of the construction of the pipeline, boom towns appeared in Alaska increasing the population massively. In Valdez the population jumped from 1,350 in 1974 to 6,512 by the summer of 1975 and 8253 in 1976. The construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System had a massive effect on Alaska, the U.S. and the rest of the world. It impacted economic, physical, and social repercussions from small towns in Alaska to the global oil market.The first barrel of oil from the pipeline came in 1977, and full-scale production started by the end of the year. Incidents have occurred with oil leakage including sabotage, maintenance failures, and gunshot holes. Alaska’s economy increased because of the construction of the pipeline, the pipeline also attracted tens of thousands of visitors annually and also inspired various forms of artwork, and the pipeline also helped with the energy crisis in 1979.
Tags: Environmental, Energy, Political
Artifacts:
7) Three Mile Island (Magazine Cover)
8) Trans Alaska Pipeline
7) Three Mile Island (Magazine Cover)
8) Trans Alaska Pipeline