[originaltext] In the early days of nuclear power, the United States made mo

游客2024-04-21  9

问题  
In the early days of nuclear power, the United States made money on it. But today opponents have so complicated its development that no nuclear plants have been ordered or built here in 12 years.
    The greatest fear of nuclear power opponents has always been a reactor "meltdown". Today, the chances of a meltdown that would threaten U.S. public health are very little. But to even further reduce the possibility engineers are testing new reactors that rely not only on human judgment to shut them down but on the laws of nature. Now General Electric is already building two advanced reactors in Japan. But don’t expect them even on U.S. shores unless things change in Washington.
    The procedure for licensing nuclear power plants is a bad dream.(9)Any time during, or even after, construction, an objection by any group or individual can bring everything to a halt while the matter is investigated or taken to court. Meanwhile, the builder must add nice but- not-necessary improvements, some of which force him to knock down walls and start over. In every case when a plant has been opposed, the Nuclear Regulation Commission has ultimately granted a license to construct or operate. But the victory often costs so much that the utility ends up abandoning the plant anyway.
    A case in point is the Shoreham plant on New York’s Long Island. Shoreham was a virtual twin to the Millstone plant in Connecticut, both ordered in the mid 60s’. Millstone, complete for $101 million, has been generating electricity for two decades. Shoreham, however, was singled out by antinuclear activists who, by sending in endless protests, drove the cost over $5 billion and delayed its use for many years.
Shoreham finally won its operation license. But the plant has never produced a watt power.
Questions 23 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.
23. How is the author’s attitude towards the development of nuclear power?
24. What has made the procedure for nuclear plants a bad dream?
25. What is Millstone in this passage?

选项 A、The inefficiency of the Nuclear Regulation Commission.
B、The enormous cost of construction and operation.
C、The length of time it takes to make investigation.
D、The objection of the opponents of nuclear power.

答案 D

解析
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