Nuclear power: INPO: Utilities create their own policeman: The burden of helping demonstrate the nuclear industry's commitment to safety is on the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations

The utilities, the regulators, and everyone connected with the nuclear industry in the United States point to the creation of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO), now a year and a half old. as evidence of the industry's commitment to safety. Organized in Atlanta mainly to establish industrywide standards for the operation of nuclear power plants and to ensure that the utilities meet those standards, this first attempt at self-policing by the industry has support (100 percent of the utilities operating nuclear plants in the U.S. belong), big plans (an evaluation of every nuclear station in the U.S. is to be completed by the end of this year), and plenty of money (all utilities belonging paid their share of the $11 million 1980 budget and are expected to contribute $17.4 million in the first quarter of 1981). But, as might be expected with a young organization, potentially serious problems exist.