b'C H A P T E R 19. A N D T H E I D A H O B O OS Tter team or better facilities? To dupli- ered the idea of a state promotional Ginkel welcomed the INEC andcate these elsewhere would waste the office. Samuelson threw his whole- encouraged the board to direct theirAECs investment at Idaho. 18 hearted support behind the idea. The energies aroundand beyondthelegislature created the Idaho Nuclear NRTS, not solely at the NRTS itself.The strategy was to combat Energy Commission (INEC) and fund- He had observed traditional IdahoWashington State/AEC power with ed a director and small office for it. industries fail to exploit good nuclearIdaho/Illinois power. Robb Brady, the Idaho had in the past created commis- opportunities. No one in the Idaho tim-chairman, reviewed with the congres- sions to promote potatoes, beans, ber industry, for example, had answeredsional delegation the poor state of the wheat, and peas. The hallowed tradition an AEC invitation to develop an irradi-current NRTS win/loss record. As of now embraced nuclear energy. ated, plastic-impregnated wood prod-1966, cancellations had included the uct. Idaho also had not bid on aarmy program, the merchant ship chance to test whether irradiatingproject, a lithium-cooled reactor, the meat could preserve it withoutorganic-cooled program, and refrigeration. After all, GinkelFARET. It was time for a win. As said, the Army had first irradiat-for the rules of the campaign, parti- ed beef in the MTR canals. 23san politics were out. The gist ofBradys analysis, paralleled by Samuelson appointed the fiveGinkels, was that the NRTS needed commissioners, two from Idahoa new platform if the NRTS was Falls, two from Pocatello, oneto enjoy long-term stability free of from Boise. The chairman,wide swings in employment levels. Steele Barnett, was an executiveIt seemed that the most promising with the Boise Cascadenew missions were the FFTF and Corporation, headquartered innuclear applications for the space Boise. The legislation dictatedprogram. 19 that INEC be bi-partisan, withno more than three membersIn January 1967, the AEC, follow- from one party. The administra-ing Shaws recommendation, sited tor of the states radiation con-the FFTF at Hanford. The justifica- trol office was an ex officiotionthat there was a strong over- mem be r, preserving a connec-lap from design to construction tion to the regulatory and healthrang hollow in Idaho. Reactor interests of the state. 2 4designs from all over the countryhad been built successfully in Idaho for INEC was to advance the nuclear possi- The enabling legislation gave INEC anyears. Idahos new governor, Don bilities in the state by stimulating the of ficial start date of July 1, 1967, but theSamuelson, sent a strenuous protest interest of industry, agriculture, and commissioners met early and laid plans.to Seaborg. Editorial opinion in Idaho education. Commercial developments, They felt that hiring a top-notch exec-Falls was harsh. Congressman James aside from diversifying Idahos econo- utive secretary was crucial, and theyMcClure demanded explanations. But my, would augment and support the found him at the Naval Reactorsthe Idaho/Illinois axis could not undo NRTS base. INEC would advise the F a c i l i ty . Gene Rutledge, a Wes i n gho t us ethe decision. 20 governor, report progress, and adminis- chemist then working at a non-chemistter grants. 22 post, took the job. He had come yearsThe Idaho Legislature, then in session, earlier from South Carolina to work ontook the loss into account as it consid- the N a u t i l u sprototype. Id just like to1 8 9'