Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-01
ATOMIC

ALUMNI
Continued From First Page
Of data which should be avail
able around 1860 could result in
economically competitive atomic
power plants coming into opera
ton three to i've years later, or
around 1865.
"Widely Competitive" by 1865
'Thus 1865 marks. approxi-
mately, the earliest time at
which widely competitive atomic
power generation is likely to be-
gin in the United States"
It is possible, the panel added,
that by 1875 the amount Of
atomic-generated power may be
equal to 40 per cent Of the coun-
try's present electrical output
and that by 1880 atomic power
may be producing more cleo
tricity than conventional fuels
are producing today.
But by 1880. it was emphasized,
the needs for electricity are ex-I
pected to have increased three to-
i've times the present needs. So
even "a years from now atomic
power would still account for less
than one-fourth of the antici-I
pated electrical output.
descriptive influences, even on
specific industries most directly
affected. are likely to come--if atl
all-over periods of time longI
enough to permit orderly adjust
ment," the report said.
mo Disruption" in Coal
II the Nations needs for cleo
tricity expand as anticipated byl
1880 there should be mo dis
ruption or dislocation" in the
coal industry, the experts said.
Pit-head electric power gen.
Grafton and alternate means Of
coal transportation are more
probable causes Of dislocation in |
the railroad industry than "the
capture by atomic power Of al
moderate share Of the rapidly
expanding power market" the
report continued.
While the oil industry could
lose all of its power-generatingl
market. the loss probably could
be Offset by q six months normal
increase In total United States
petroleum demand.
blessing" for Gas Industry
For the gas inustry. the panel
said, atomic electricity mayl
prove "a blessing in disguise. II
They pointed out that IA perl
cent Of the Nations present.
natural gas output. which canl
be sold at higher prices for home
and other uses, is now burned by
utilities at low prices.
Full scale demonstration"
atomic power plants. represent
ing each major reactor size and
type, should be built as soon as
possible, the report said, III
economic atomic power is to be
developed to the point en-
visioned. This should be done
with substantial financial ana
other help from industry. But,
II industry does not bear its |
"fuD share Of the responsibility"
the Government should UNDER
take the program alone.
The panel suggested that the
United States make available to
other countries by 1860 atomic |
materials and know-how for at
least ! million kilowatts Of
atomic generating capacity. Such
o program would parallel and
possibly exceed" the capacity |
installed during the same period
Atomic power may be the most
tangible symbol Of Americas will
to peace through the peaceful
atom" the report stated. "Ourl
domestic needs cannot be curl
only motivation. Otherwise, we
leave without effective rebuttal
the argument that America is so
rich, so prosperous, that a revo-
lutionary new energy resource
can emerge without any urgent
need on our part to put 1t to
mans use"
Would Drop Price Guarantee
The panel would abolish Gov
eminent price guarantee Of
prices for production Of uranium
in favor Of a free market-one
in which prices would seek levels
based on supply and demand.
This system, 1t was said, would
be In keeping with "free enter
prise"
There were these other rec
concentrations:
/. A "high priority" should be
placed on a program to explore
fully 1.-The humanitarian bene-
fits which can result from the
application Of atomic develop
ments to agriculture" Prospects
are that atomic energy research
can lead to new crops tailored
TO the vagaries of climate and
geography" /
This suggestion was coupled