Exclusive: U.S. nuclear regulator a policeman or salesman?

[bananas]

Source: Reuters

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission exists to police, not promote, the domestic nuclear industry -- but diplomatic cables show that it is sometimes used as a sales tool to help push American technology to foreign governments.

The cables, obtained by WikiLeaks and provided to Reuters by a third party, shed light on the way in which U.S. embassies have pulled in the NRC when lobbying for the purchase of equipment made by Westinghouse and other domestic manufacturers.

While the use of diplomats to further American commercial interests is nothing new, it is far less common for regulators to be acting in even the appearance of a commercial capacity, raising concerns about a potential conflict of interest.

The subject is particularly sensitive at a time when there are concerns about whether the operator of the stricken Fukushima nuclear power plant, which was designed by U.S. conglomerate General Electric Co., had been properly supervised by the NRC's equivalent in Japan.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/18/us-nuclear-industry-nrc-idUSTRE73H0PL20110418

[enough]

1. And for decades, they have looked out for the corporations' bottom line within the US as well.

When "balancing" safety concerns with reactor operators' costs.

[fascisthunter]

2. funny how the wealthy corporate interests take over our government

time to make that impossible.

[No Elephants]

3. Good night.