In the mid 1970's there were arguments about the "design flaws" and safety of nuclear plants.
Even Readers Digest got into the fray. In one article they published diagram of the location of wiring for the back up systems. It was an over simplification of the actual design, but was shown as example of one design error. They pointed out that if there was a fire that destroyed the system for control of day to day operation, it would also destroy the controls of the safety back up systems. I have no idea as to the amount of bias Readers Digest had in the nuclear power plant discussion.
In 1973 Dixy Lee Ray was appointed chairperson of the US Atomic Energy Commission. She was a big advocate of nuclear power. I remember she received a huge amount of media time and attention to push for nuclear power.
After the Arab embargo with its long lines of vehicles waiting for gasoline and diesel fuel there was frantic talk in Washington DC about the US being self sufficient for its energy needs. Nuclear was highly touted as one of the cures. Was safety compromised for speed, who knows?
I only recall what the media was saying. I was not privy to any inside information.
A side note, some 35 + years later Washington is still talking about a self sufficient "energy policy" of nuclear, drilling for oil and gas, mining coal etc. It hasn't happened.