Implications of the Supreme Court's California nuclear-moratorium decision

Journal Article · Thu May 26 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Public Util. Fortn.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6002675

Brown, O F ^[1]; Davis, E M

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1. Schwartzstein and Brown, Washington, DC

A recent decision of the US Supreme Court, upholding a moratorium imposed by the state of California against new construction of nuclear plants until certain conditions are met, is being hailed by critics of nuclear power as a devastating defeat for the nuclear and electric-utility industries, one which will severely cripple, if not eliminate altogether, the further development of nuclear power in the US. The authors disagree with this characterization of the decision and believe that its impact is limited in scope and there are some positive aspects with respect to the decision. Furthermore, the recently enacted Nuclear Waste Policy Act at the federal level would seem to satisfy state requirements for the availability of nuclear waste disposal. The future of nuclear power will depend more on its relative economics than on this court decision. Accordingly, Congress should act expeditiously and approve licensing-reform legislation so as to allow nuclear power to compete equitably with other energy sources.

• OSTI ID: 6002675
• Journal Information: Public Util. Fortn.; (United States), Journal Name: Public Util. Fortn.; (United States) Vol. 111:11; ISSN PUFNA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210700* -- Nuclear Power Plants-- Regulation & Licensing
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
CALIFORNIA
CONSTRUCTION
COURTS
DECISION MAKING
FEDERAL REGION IX
INTERVENORS
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER
POWER PLANTS
PUBLIC POLICY
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
USA