The politics of energy: Case study of Con Edison's nuclear complex at Indian Point, New York. Working paper

Technical Report · Mon Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1974

OSTI ID:5749672

Aron, J; Seelman, K

The possible impact of areawide residential location policy on future residential electricity usage in the Tri-State Metropolitan Region centering on New York City is investigated. This paper focuses on the politics of energy in its discussion of Con Edison's Nuclear Complex at Indian Point. The first period of planning (1954 to the late 60's) comprised a relatively closed decision-making process in which a private utility and all levels of government worked closely together toward mutually agreeable ends and was confined to the utility itself. The second period, 1969 to the present, dates from the passage of the National Environmental Policy Act, which required consideration of environmental amenities and values in the formulation of governmental decisions. NEPA and subsequent court interpretations provided useful legal tools to environmental groups which were concerned about the possible detrimental effects of nuclear power plants. As a consequence of statutory and judicial changes, interested citizens and groups gained access to the decision-making process and began to question diverse aspects of the utility's operations. The behavior of the major actors during the two time periods--Con Edison, Atomic Energy Commission, regulatory agencies in New York State, the locality, and private intervenors is analyzed--in terms of roles, goals, and strategies. Major characteristics of the decision-making process during the two time periods are summarized as well as the long term probable impact of the changes detailed on the regulatory process and nuclear power production.

• Research Organization: New York Regional Energy Study, NY (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5749672
• Report Number(s): PB-292985
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
293000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
BUILDINGS
DECISION MAKING
ELECTRIC POWER
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
INDIAN POINT-1 REACTOR
INDIAN POINT-2 REACTOR
INDIAN POINT-3 REACTOR
LAND USE
MID-ATLANTIC REGION
NEW YORK
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER
POWER PLANTS
POWER REACTORS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
PWR TYPE REACTORS
REACTORS
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
THERMAL REACTORS
USA
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS