Thursday, December 4.1975
University Daily Kansan
9
Nuclear plant liability unaffected
Even if a law expires that places a ceiling on the liability of nuclear power plants, the Wolf Creek Nuclear Generating Station near Burlington wouldn't be affected.
The plant, still in the licensing stage, is being planned by Kansas Gas and Electric Co. of Wichita, and Kansas City Power and Light (KCPL).
The Price-Anderson Act, included as a section of the Atomic Energy Act of 1967, places the liability liability for nuclear power plants under the Senate's pre in 1977, and the Senate is reviewing it.
Don Landas, vice president of communications for KCPL, said yesterday that originally private insurance would have paid only $60 million in case of a nuclear accident, and the Federal Government would pay $180 million. By 1972, a private insurer's share was up to $60 million, but the ceiling was still the same.
WILLIAM GRIFFIN, assistant attorney general, said that the act is under review not only because it may expire in two years but also because the ceiling is thought by some to be too low.
Griffin, quoting a study by the Brookehaven Laboratory, said that the worst possible accident involving a nuclear plant could cause an estimated $7 billion in property damage. That would mean, he said, that the general public would have to absorb $6.5 million of the cost of the accident under the present Price-Anderson ceiling.
Griffin said the Atomic Energy Commission had said that the chances of such an attack were low.
THE WOLF CREEK PLANT would still be covered, Landas said, because it is already in the licensing stage. If the Act is allowed to expire, it would affect plants not in the licensing process before the expiration date, Landas said.
The expiration of the Price-Anderson Act, Landas added, "could have a serious impact on the forward growth of nuclear power."
Landas said there were only 16 insurance claims filed under the act in the first 15 years of its existence. None of those claims, he said, were the result of injury or property damage caused by the radioactivity of a licensed nuclear reactor.
KCPL and KGE applied for a license to build the 1,150 megawatt plant last April. It would be situated about three miles east of the John Redmond D dam near Burlington.
The proposal to build the plant has been opposed by at least 10 groups across the state, including the Kansas Farmers Union, the people's Energy Project, the Women's
--a holiday thought from Mr. Guy the classic wool v-neck cardigan with leather buttons ...*25.00 complemented with a cotton flannel plaid shirt ...*15.00 and a corduroy "safari modeled" pant ...*29.50
International League for Peace and Freedom, and the University of Kansas Medical Wives Group.
PLATIGNUM ITALIC SET
SUNGIM ITALIC SET
Contains a fountain pen five
Italic nibs and instruction
manual all for only $5.00.
At art material & pen shops
college book stores ... or send
check to Pintall Corp., 132
West 22 St, N.Y., NY, 1001
Add 50 cents for handling.
--a holiday thought from Mr. Guy the classic wool v-neck cardigan with leather buttons ...*25.00 complemented with a cotton flannel plaid shirt ...*15.00 and a corduroy "safari modeled" pant ...*29.50
-EXPRESS YOURSELF-
Meet and talk with Chancellor Dykes and Executive Vice Chancellor Shankel . . . about any concern you may have . . .
- OPEN MEETING
- THIS FRIDAY [Dec. 5]
1-2 p.m.
FORUM ROOM
Students, Faculty, Staff Welcome
- KANSAS UNION
open every weeknight 920 Mass.
till 8:30 D.1 thru Dec. 23
The Department of Painting and Sculpture and SUA Present the
Fourth Annual Art Escapades Bohemian Ball
Dec.13 8:30-12:00 p.m.
Union Ballroom
Free Beer Music by Tide
Tickets $2.50 at SUA
Need help? Advertise it in Kansan want ads.Call 864-4358