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
参考答案:
21. C 22. D 23. B 24. A 25. D
高考英语语法冲刺精讲时态语法2
英语语法要点3“be+不定式”表将来或意图
语法复习二十一:连 词
英语语法 动词不定式2
高中英语讲座:名词的单复数
语法复习十二:非谓语动词1动词不定式
高考英语必考40个重要句型精讲4
高中英语讲座:表示“道歉”
高中英语语法:序列关系的前缀
英语语法: 判断关系代词与关系副词
高中英语语法:现在进行时
高考英语语法冲刺精讲时态语法3
高中英语语法:方式状语从句
语法复习二十:介 词
英语语法 情态动词专题训练及答案
高中英语语法:否定意义的前缀
高中英语语法:方向关系的前缀
高考英语必考40个重要句型精讲6
高中英语语法:条件状语从句
高中英语讲座:closed
高中英语语法:关系代词引导的定语从句
高考英语必考40个重要句型精讲 八
语法复习十:动词的语气--虚拟语气
高考英语必考40个重要句型精讲1
语法复习十五:形容词和副词
高中英语语法:关系副词引导的定语从句
高中英语语法:原因状语从句
高考英语必考40个重要句型精讲5
语法复习十七:名 词
高考英语语法冲刺精讲时态语法1
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |