The Sidney herald., 1955-08-18
tom


(The following is the last of a
series of seven articles disclos-
ing the highlights and sidelights
which have accompanied the ma
TONS development of atomic en-
ergy. Prepared at the Hanford
atomic energy plant, the series
deals with the human things which
followed in the wake of the first
historic announcement that man
had harnessed the atom. 1t touch
es upon the things which lie
ahead.)
BY Bill Jury
General Electric News
Bureau
HanfOrd Atomic Plant
Industry has come a long way
down the strange, fantastic new
highway of the Atomic Age; down
a route to which there may be
no end; to the creation of a stand
ard of living beyond comprehen-
sion in today's world.
On a national scale, the atomic
energy industry has done a lot
of maturing since its beginning
during World War II. 1t has set
tied down from a "crash" project
- full of unknoWns, slated to
last no longer than the wal which
gave birth to it - to a business.
based on well-understood princi-
pies, operating on clearly defined
~long-range plans. The atomic en-
ergy plant at Hanford, Wn., is &
good illustration of the change
Built in a life-and-death race
with time, the first atomic reac-
tors and separations plants al
Hanford, though primitive by to-
days standards, have since been
called an engineering marvel.
Much of the research and de-
velopment work behind improve
ments revealed by the Atomic
Energy Commissions Semi-annua-
reports to Congress was perform
ed in laboratories located at Han
ford. The lab work still is in prog
resS - aimed at finding further
Improvements.
Eventually, the production Of
electric power will be the eco
nomic basis of a strong privately
owned and operated atomic in
dustry, some experts believe. Anc
it is expected that the rapidly
growing atomic energy industry
will grow still larger as private
industry moves into it.
The atomic energy program now
includes around SIS billion worth
of plant facilities and will, within
a few years, represent an invest
ment of more than SO billion. Han
ford, the plutonium = producing
plant operated by General Elec-
trio company for the Atomic En-
ergy Commission, already has be-
come a billion-dollar plant.
The atomic industry has beer
described as one of high invest
ment per employee and low in
vestment turnover. It's similarity
in financial characteristics to the
utility industry makes it necessary
that it have a steady, practicable
market for what it produces il
it is to be run successfully by pri-
vate companies.
Electric power is held as the
only answer, for the weapons
market is subject to too much
fluctuation.
Because the nation is using
electricity in ever increasing
quantities (the demand double.
about every 10 or Is years., atom.
ic power not only is regarded a.
the answer to the growth of +;
healthy, privately owned atomi,
industry, but as a welcome adj.
dition to the conventional source.
of power.
From the point of view of worlC
supply of energy, the utilization o
atomic energy is becoming
"must."
GEES top atomic official ha
predicted that privately financet
atomic power plants will compet
successfully with conventions
power plants in five to 10 years
Francis K. McCune, genera
manager of the GE Atomic Pro
ducts Division, recently forecas
that electric utility companies vii
be owning and operating a mum
Der Of atomic power plants within
the next 10 years. He said he be
lieved some of these will be full
scale and, what is more importan-
they will generate electricity q
competitive cost.
owe believe that this will be &C
complished without governmer