"Crisis Underscores Fears About Safety of Nuclear Energy"

"The official announcement that two reactors at an earthquake-damaged nuclear plant could be suffering meltdowns underscores the Japanese nuclear industry’s troubled history, and years of grass-roots objections from a people uniquely sensitive to the ravages of nuclear destruction.

The unfolding crisis at the two reactors, both at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, feeds into a resurgence of doubts about nuclear energy’s safety — even as it has gained credence as a source of clean energy in a time of mounting concerns about the environmental and public health tolls of fossil fuels.

The crisis stems from failures of the cooling systems at the reactors at the 40-year-old Fukushima Daiichi plant. At a nearby nuclear plant, Daini, three more reactors lost their cooling systems, and Japanese officials were scrambling Sunday to determine whether the systems could be revived or would also need injections of cooling seawater."

Norimitsu Onishi, Henry Fountain, and Tom Zeller Jr. report for the New York Times March 12, 2011.

SEE ALSO:

"Analysis: Nuclear Power Growth At Risk If Japan Plant Leaks" (Reuters)

"Japan Nuclear Woes Cast Shadow Over U.S. Energy Policy" (Reuters)

"Put The Brakes" On Nuclear Power Plants: Lieberman " (Reuters)

"Nuclear Power Industry Sues U.S. Over Fee For Waste" (Reuters)

"Japan Disaster Reopens Nuclear Debate in Europe and US" (BBC News)

"Japan's Nuclear Crisis Stokes Fear in Europe" (New York Times)

"US Nuclear Energy Gets More Scrutiny" (Boston Globe)

"Germany's Merkel To Meet Ministers on  Nuclear Fears" (Reuters)

"U.S. Nuclear Plants Have Same Risks, and Backups, as Japan Counterparts" (New York Times)

"Japanese Nuclear Plant Meltdown 'Explodes Safety Myth'" (Chosunilbo)