Final answer:
The Three Mile Island accident in 1979 cast doubt on the safety and reliability of nuclear power, leading to public fear, regulatory changes, and a decline in new nuclear plant construction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Three Mile Island Accident
The accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in 1979 left people doubting the safety of nuclear energy. Despite the absence of deaths or injuries due to radiation, the incident at Three Mile Island highlighted the potential for catastrophic accidents at nuclear power facilities. The event resulted in minimal radioactive release but sparked a significant public scare and led to the flight of over 100,000 residents. Contributing to delays and declines in the construction of new nuclear plants, the accident also fostered a greater public understanding and concern for the financial and environmental costs associated with nuclear power compared to other energy sources like coal-fired plants.
The containment system, including six feet thick walls of reinforced concrete, successfully prevented the spread of significant radiation into the environment. However, the accident caused by a failure in the reactor's cooling system, which led to the overheating and partial meltdown of the reactor core, made the public question the proclaimed infallibility of nuclear power. It resulted in tougher industry regulations to prevent future incidents and an overall chilling effect on the nuclear power industry, with new nuclear reactor construction being notably curtailed in the subsequent years.