Taking the Power Out of the Nuclear Industry: Records of Citizen Activism Against the Tyrone Energy Park

Abstract

This paper analyzes the 1973 proposal of a nuclear plant site known as the Tyrone Energy Park. In 1973, the Northern States Power Company of Minnesota planned to build the energy park in Northwestern Wisconsin between the cities of Durand and Eau Claire. Then Northern States Power Company faced extreme opposition throughout the 1970s, especially by local farmers who’s lands were condemned by the energy company. The local farmers along with other citizen activists created grass roots organizations and joined with others against the Tyrone Energy Park. This paper focuses mainly on the group known as the Citizen for Tomorrow and their against the Northern States Power Company. However, before this paper presents on the Tyrone Energy Park and its opposition, background information will discuss how nuclear power was viewed within the 1970s and during the global energy crisis. Specifically, the text will cover the general risks and benefits of nuclear energy and then will explain how the country of Germany addressed the risks and benefits involved with nuclear energy to their public. This paper will detail the how citizen activist groups worked to ultimately deny the construction of the Tyrone Energy Park.