ANS Conference in San Diego

The San Diego Union-Tribune has an illuminating take on the ANS conference going on this week in San Diego. If you have any doubt as to whether it's worthwhile to present the factual benefits of nuclear energy, then check out part of Ruth Weiner's story, a former anti-nuclear Sierra Club member in the state of Washington.

She helped write policies to prevent portions of the state from becoming repositories for radioactive waste. Her efforts indirectly helped create the system used today, in which states sign compacts with one another to accept waste.

Weiner credits the "not in my back yard" public outcry during those experiences with changing her mind. After meeting lobbyists on both sides of the issue, she switched to support the industry she once resented.

Nowadays, her advice to operators of nuclear power plants is to cut down on propaganda and slogans.

The whole article is an excellent treatise on how facts, involvement and persistence are the way to overcome rhetoric.

Thanks to Addison Hall for the info!

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