The National Nuclear Debate
- Program
- The National Nuclear Debate
- Producing Organization
- Public Broadcasting Service (U.S.)
- WITF-TV (Television station : Harrisburg, Pa.)
- Contributing Organization
- The Walter J. Brown Media Archives & Peabody Awards Collection at the University of Georgia (Athens, Georgia)
- AAPB ID
- cpb-aacip-526-wh2d796n4s
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- Description
- Program Description
- "The National Nuclear Debate was a live, PBS special broadcast from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on the first anniversary of the Three Mile Island nuclear accident. It included a documentary update on the impact of the accident and a 'debate' among leading national experts in the field of nuclear energy. It was hosted by Jim Lehrer."--1980 Peabody Awards entry form. From the forum of the Pennsylvania State Capital Complex, host Jim Lehrer introduces the debate panelists before airing documentary narrated by [Bill Graham] detailing the impact of the Three Mile Island accident. The documentary includes discussion of the impact on a national scale, with footage from federal meetings, and on surrounding towns with statements from Harrisburg Mayor Paul Doutrich and Middletown mayor Robert Reed and footage from town hall meetings from the community. Experts speak on the economic impacts of the accident and on the potential for long-lasting health issues in the area. Experts speak about the international effects of the accident, including in the nuclear programs of France and Sweden. A year later, questions remain. Back with the debate panelists, Lehrer then introduces four basic questions to debate: Are nuclear power plants structurally safe, addressed by Dr. Norman Rasmussen and Dr. Henry Kendall; does nuclear power generation present a radiation threat to the public, debated by Dr. Roger Linnemann and Dr. Helen Caldicott; is nuclear power economically desirable for the 1980s, debated by Dr. A. David Rossin and Dr. Vince Taylor; and should U.S. energy policy promote the use of nuclear power, debated by Dr. A. David Rossin and Dr. Vince Taylor. After the panelists debate each question, the floor is open to a question and answer session from the audience, including questions about the safety in case of damaged reactors, the cost of decommissioning nuclear power plants, and handling radioactive waste.
- Broadcast Date
- 1980-03-28
- Asset type
- Program
- Media type
- Moving Image
- Duration
- 01:02:44.777
- Credits
-
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Producing Organization: Public Broadcasting Service (U.S.)
Producing Organization: WITF-TV (Television station : Harrisburg, Pa.)
- AAPB Contributor Holdings
-
The Walter J. Brown Media Archives & Peabody Awards Collection at the
University of Georgia
Identifier: cpb-aacip-172f5b5e6a6 (Filename)
Format: U-matic
Duration: 2:00:00
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- Citations
- Chicago: “The National Nuclear Debate,” 1980-03-28, The Walter J. Brown Media Archives & Peabody Awards Collection at the University of Georgia, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC, accessed April 30, 2025, http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-526-wh2d796n4s.
- MLA: “The National Nuclear Debate.” 1980-03-28. The Walter J. Brown Media Archives & Peabody Awards Collection at the University of Georgia, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Web. April 30, 2025. <http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-526-wh2d796n4s>.
- APA: The National Nuclear Debate. Boston, MA: The Walter J. Brown Media Archives & Peabody Awards Collection at the University of Georgia, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-526-wh2d796n4s