News Release

Heard on campus – a tale of two nuclear cities

February 17, 2009

A “Tale of Two Cities” came to Penn State Harrisburg, but it was of a nuclear variety, not Charles Dickens.

The two cities – Middletown and Waynesboro, Ga. -- were profiled by Associate Professor of Community Psychology Holly Angelique Wednesday, Feb. 11 in the latest installment of the faculty seminar series hosted by the Office of Research and Graduate Studies.

Entitled “Social Power and Role of Social Scientists in Environmental Disputes,” the lecture was drawn from research conducted by Angelique and Penn State Harrisburg graduate Marci Culley, now a faculty member at Georgia State University. An article from their research has been accepted for publication.

Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies Marian Walters, the organizer of the seminars, says, “Penn State Harrisburg is unique as a college in the breadth of its academic programs and faculty expertise ranging from science to engineering, to business, to public affairs, to education and the humanities,” Dr. Walters adds. “And since one of our strengths is that broad range of capabilities, we determined it would be of great value to the college and the general public to organize the series to discuss issues of importance while faculty share the results of their research.”

The researchers investigated the two towns with the goal of determining what roles social scientists like themselves may play in environmental disputes involving power nuclear power plants. In Middletown, Three Mile Island has applied to the NRC for an extension of its license to operate and in Waynesboro, the public utility is seeking to add two more reactors to the two it now operates to produce electricity.

Angelique, the program coordinator of the college’s master’s degree program in Community Psychology and Social Change, first began her discussion by addressing the argument that nuclear power plants are an answer to global climate change. She says no “because the generation of nuclear power itself leaves no carbon footprint, associated activities such as mining, transportation of uranium, storage of waste, and monitoring all do.”

The scholars studied the processes and hearings conducted in each town related to their requests to the NRC and found there was little public participation in either – even with a 70 percent increase in infant mortality in Waynesboro since the first two reactors went on line and with Middletown the scene of the nation’s worst commercial nuclear accident.

 In Middletown, they found that only 35 people attended the public meeting scheduled for a Thursday afternoon on the relicensing and that 9 commented –- 3 in support and 6 in opposition. In Waynesboro, the turnout was heavier with 50 attending. Both meetings saw proponents support the economic benefits of having the plants in the community and the fact that both utilities were “good neighbors.” Opponents spoke of nuclear waste, pollution, and the use of taxpayer money to fund the Waynesboro project and cleanup at TMI.

As to the question of whether America is in a nuclear renaissance or nuclear relapse, Angelique responded with, “It depends on if you are a proponent or an opponent. America is divided on the use of nuclear power. Recent surveys show Americans are just about split 50-50 on the use of nuclear power, yet 81 percent would not want to live near a plant, and 71 percent are concerned that an emphasis on nuclear power would draw attention from other sources of energy.”

So what can social scientists and the general public do? The study led the researchers to develop a list of action steps for those facing new construction or relicensing of a nuclear power plant. “First and foremost, we must educate the public on all aspects and impacts of nuclear power,” Angelique points out. “We must also listen to unheard voices and seek them out, connect experienced communities with others, intensify the democratic processes, engage in action research, and take political risks.”

She concluded with, “We must seize the opportunity for all sides to be heard.”