ID: Three Mile Island
WHEN: March 28, 1979
WHO:
- Metropolitan Edison (Operator): The company that owned and operated the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station.
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC): The federal agency responsible for regulating and overseeing the nuclear industry in the United States.
- President Jimmy Carter: Oversaw the federal government’s response to the crisis.
- Residents of Pennsylvania: Directly affected by the potential health and environmental hazards.
WHAT:
A partial meltdown occurred at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. A combination of mechanical failure and human error led to the reactor core overheating and sustaining significant damage. Although a full meltdown was averted, radioactive gases and iodine were released into the atmosphere.
IMPACT:
- Increased Public Fear: Fueled widespread public anxiety and distrust regarding nuclear power and its safety.
- Stricter Regulations: Led to significant changes in NRC regulations and oversight, including increased safety measures, improved operator training, and emergency planning requirements.
- Decline in Nuclear Power: Significantly hampered the growth of the nuclear power industry in the US; no new nuclear power plants were commissioned for decades following the accident. Many planned reactors were cancelled.
- Environmental Movement: Strengthened the environmental movement, highlighting the potential dangers of industrial accidents and the need for greater environmental protection.
- Emergency Response Planning: Showed the inadequacy of existing emergency response plans and led to better preparedness and coordination among federal, state, and local agencies.
- Lasting Cleanup: The cleanup operation was lengthy and costly, taking years and millions of dollars.