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In the early days of nuclear power, the United States make money on it. But
today opponents (反对者 ) 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 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. 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-60's. 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 York's 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. I'oday, a perfectly
good facility, capable of servicing hundreds of thousands of homes, sits
rusting.
21.The author's 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 Cuomo's 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
答案：21. C 22. D 23. B 24. A 25. D |
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发表于 2016-12-4 13:33:05