Since it suffered the worst nuclear power accident in U.S. history in 1979, the Three Mile Island generating plant has become a symbol of the dangers of using atomic fuel to produce electricity. The twin reactors at the Pennsylvania site have remained shut since the disastrous near meltdown of Unit 2. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, in a 4-to-1 vote, ruled last week that the GPU Nuclear Corp., which runs Three Mile Island, could reopen the undamaged Unit 1, which had no part in the accident.
Opponents greeted the decision with protests and legal appeals. More than 80 demonstrators were arrested after...