In the early days of nuclear power, the United States make 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 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 dont expect them even on U. S. shores unless things change in Washington.
The procedure for licensing nuclear power plants is a bad dream. 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 Yorks Long Island. Shoreham was a virtual twin to the Millstone plant in Connecticut, both ordered in the mid-60s. Millstone, completed 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. Governor Mario Cuomo, an opponent of a Shoreham start up, used his power to force New Yorks public-utilities commission to accept the following settlement: the power company could pass the cost of Shoreham along to its consumers only if it agreed not to operate the plant. Ioday, a perfectly good facility, capable of servicing hundreds of thousands of homes, sits rusting.
21.The authors attitude toward the development of nuclear power is______.
A. negative B. neutral
C. positive D. questioning
22.What has made the procedure for licensing nuclear power plants a bad dream?
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 investigations.
D. The objection of the opponents of nuclear power.
23.It can be inferred from Paragraph 2 that______.
A. there are not enough safety measures in the U. S. for running new nuclear power plants
B. it is not technical difficulties that prevent the building of nuclear power plants in the U. S.
C. there are already more nuclear power plants than necessary in the U. S.
D. the American government will not allow Japanese nuclear reactors to be installed in the U. S.
24. Governor Mario Cuomos chief intention in proposing the settlement was to_______.
A. stop the Shoreham plant from going into operation
B. urge the power company to further increase its power supply
C. permit the Shoreham plant to operate under certain conditions
D. help the power company to solve its financial problems
25. The phrase single out is closest in meaning to_______.
A. delay B. end up
C. complete D. separate
21. C 22. D 23. B 24. A 25. D
你信吗:红头发的人不怕疼?!
国际英语资讯:Feature: Decline of Chinese students interest in Finland baffles Finnish decision makers
圣帕特里克节十大趣闻
白色情人节:5个信号告诉你 恋爱ing
国际英语资讯:Feature: Gazans celebrate Eid al-Adha amid hard living conditions
生活必不可少的职场八卦
全球3/10员工称职场威胁心理健康
国内英语资讯:Xi sends condolences to Egyptian president over terrorist attack in Cairo
《福布斯》提醒慎用5类化妆品
娱乐英语资讯:Mexican director Guillermo del Toro gets star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
大英百科全书黯淡退场:从印刷的一刻就输了
娱乐英语资讯:Feature: Veteran U.S. musician cherishes lasting bond with China
德国拟让报刊向谷歌等网络公司收费
英国警察新规定:不减肥就减薪
社会观察:中国楼市冷与热
全球高校名气榜出炉 亚洲大学声誉上升
国际英语资讯:2 killed, 10 injured in clashes near presidential palace in Yemens Aden
《哈利·波特》电影摄影棚即将对外开放
国内英语资讯:China can overcome U.S. maximum pressure with steady economic growth: experts
国内英语资讯:Any attempt to interfere in Hong Kong affairs doomed to fail: FM spokesperson
意大利市长禁止镇民死亡:已有两人违规
国内英语资讯:China opposes U.S. interference in Venezuelas internal affairs: FM spokesperson
蔬菜乐器奏出美妙乐音
国际英语资讯:House Democrats sue to enforce subpoena for testimony from ex White House counsel McGahn
美国前总统尼克松情书曝光:浪漫追妻展现柔情一面
BBC推出汉语教学动画片 全世界都在学中国话
高盛高管辞职信全文:我为什么离开高盛?
调查:三成美国年轻人因没钱约会而单身
体坛英语资讯:Xie Siyi retains 3m springboard title to make it seven in a row for China
娱乐英语资讯:Casting director David Rubin elected 35th Academy president
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |