I do not think nuclear power is bad, I do know that nuclear power plants need to be built carefully and maintained scrupulously.

Chernobyl was caused by human error - several of them, which some may say is inevitable (human error), but I say not. Massachusetts had two functioning nuclear plants, though one has been shut down by now. But people still can live in Rowe, Massachusetts, and in Plymouth Massachusetts. And do. I visted Yankee Rowe when I was in high school, the area around the plant was lovely and green, as it was New England spring when I made my visit. It is a question of standards, safety practices and maintainence.

Someday perhaps we will have safe fusion power and cheap energy for all. Someday perhaps we will generate enough power by renewable resources - wind, solar and other methods that do involve fossil fuels. But generations of coal miners died of black lung, or other related illnesses, to heat homes and cities and fuel industry. We still mine - and burn - coal, though now it is done in a more environmentally friendly way.

Chernobyl should stand as a lesson to all of humanity. It is a horrific tragedy, and images from it haunt me. But it did not need to happen.