Word: aec
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...threatening the Atomic Energy Commission: "I think that the AEC must be made to realize that I am dedicated to the minimum request made of them [to delay the explosion]. That if they do not grant it, I will ally myself completely with the all-out anti-bomb faction throughout the entire U.S. That this group had only been waiting for a strong leader and I am ready to dedicate the rest of my life and every cent I possess in a complete no quarter fight to outlaw all nuclear testing of every kind and everywhere...
Through his years at the AEC, the CIA and the Pentagon, he grasped his subjects well, but there was something more about him−an extra dimension...
When a committee, for once, criticized the Atomic Energy Commission's handling of nuclear wastes, the annoyed AEC cut off further funding until the academy leadership appointed a more congenial group. Lacking significant outside support, the academy depends on such money for its studies. But Government agencies-or industry-have rarely had to wield a financial club since the committees themselves are frequently staffed by uncritical scientists. Examples: key parts of a report on lead poisoning were drafted by a chemical company scientist; a subcommittee on dog-and cat-food standards was chaired by a pet food company executive...
...most startling finding by the AEC was that Silkwood's contamination "probably did not result from an accident or incident within the plant." There were plutonium traces on her skin though no accidental release had occurred in the plant. In addition, tests showed that Silkwood had "ingested" plutonium. Furthermore, two urine samples were proved to have been contaminated after they had been excreted; this showed that the samples had been doctored by someone. The evidence thus suggests that Silkwood had purposely contaminated herself and had probably smuggled a minute amount of plutonium home from the plant. Why? Perhaps...
...seems clear that Kerr-McGee has not been as diligent as necessary in protecting its workers from plutonium. The union has nonetheless been overzealous in its allegations of carelessness by the company. And both the AEC and its private contractors need to exercise increased vigilance in guarding the plutonium against theft or misuse by unstable or conspiratorial employees. As for the cause of Silkwood's death, that remains as mysterious as ever...