Preemption - atomic energy
While waiting for the federal government to develop a nuclear waste disposal strategy, California enacted legislation that bans the construction of nuclear reactors until permanent disposal technology for high-level wastes is demonstrated and approved. The US Supreme Court upheld this prohibition in Pacific Gas and Electric Co. v. State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission. The Court found that the California law did not attempt to regulate the construction or operation of a nuclear plant nor to infringe on federal regulation of radiation safety and nuclear wastes. The moratorium is a legitimate move by the state to avoid economic uncertainties. Federal preemption of the law would empower utilities to determine state energy needs and programs. 131 references.
- OSTI ID:
- 6410427
- Journal Information:
- Nat. Resour. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Nat. Resour. J.; (United States) Vol. 24:3; ISSN NRJOA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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CALIFORNIA
CASE LAW
CONSTRUCTION
FEDERAL REGION IX
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
LAWS
LAWSUITS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
PUBLIC POLICY
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
STATE GOVERNMENT
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
USA
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES