With the advanced technologies of the 20th Century came nuclear power and a host of
powerful weapons, but also a promising alternative to fossil fuels for the new age of energy demands. In Jeff Goodell’s article, “America’s Nuclear Nightmare”, the topic of injustice for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and its affiliates is raised. We live in a society where more people are needed to be aware of preventable catastrophes, which is the matter that Goodell brings up. The injustice I refer to is that of the NRC’s negligence to comply with proper safety protocol and renovation to addressing the serious domestic threat of aging nuclear reactors. Since its inception, the NRC has pushed nuclear power to the people, but has since let its duty to the public fail the test of moral obligation. Skirting safety investigations and legitimate refitting of old nukes, the NRC and the industry it puppeteers could end up with a nuclear meltdown on its hands. The cost for such inaction may very well include billions of taxpayer dollars in cleanup and aid, and the untold millions of displaced or irradiated civilians. Though Goodell’s article does address the possibility of imminent risk taken by the nuclear industry, he falls short in conveying the sense of urgency that is needed in order to effect change for America’s nuclear industry, ultimately making his article more PAST than CUSP. My analysis and research will fill in the gaps of forensic evidence and touch on the due deliberation by improving upon Goodell’s poor use of rhetorical modes.
One of the PAST things that Goodell does is underrepresent former Sen. Pete Domenici as an influential nuclear energy advocate, which does not contribute to a deep understanding of his significance in the one mentioning. In my findings there is certainly enough evidence that can reflect decades of examples that can illustrate what kind of person Pete Domenici is. Goodell brings up that in a 1996 NRC investigation a complaint filed to then...