ATOMIC ENERGY: Insuring Against Catastrophe

Two years after Congress voted to open the field of nuclear fission to private enterprise, U.S. industry committed itself to spend more than $150 million on five atomic power plants. But not one private nuclear power plant is under construction. The big obstacle: lack of liability insurance.

Last week, before the Joint Congressional Committee on Atomic Energy, General Electric Co. Vice President Fran cis K. McCune said: "The gravest problem now facing the atomic energy business is that of liability for the consequences of an atomic incident. It is the business of private enterprise to take risks. It is, however,...

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