Business Notes Utilities

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 some 200 people marched outside the Three Mile Island plant to denounce the ruling. Pennsylvania Governor Richard Thornburgh immediately petitioned to overturn what he called a "premature and irresponsible" vote. The court fight could delay the reopening for months.

The badly damaged Unit 2, though, will not operate again for at least 2 1/2 years while GPU continues its cleanup. That task could end up costing more than $1 billion.