Implementing federal solar policy: learning from the nuclear power experience

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1983 · J. Energy Law Policy; (United States)

OSTI ID:6888996

Rhodes, S L

A comparison of federal policy to develop and commercialize solar energy technologies with the federal commitment to develop civilian nuclear power from 1947 to the early 1960s examines how internal factors influence the ability of the federal government to bring nonconventional energy technologies to a level of commercial competitiveness. The article notes three policy variables: the organizational format and institutional structure; the operational practice of contracting with non-federal agents for research and management: and the impact of the political environment of federal policies. It concludes that a federal policy designed to deliver a nonconventional energy technology from the laboratory to the marketplace is difficult to implement if policy-making authority is in the hands of too many participants. The nuclear power experience suggests that a sensitive appreciation of the public-private relationship is necessary to identify and resolve obstacles. 129 references.

• Research Organization: National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO
• OSTI ID: 6888996
• Journal Information: J. Energy Law Policy; (United States), Vol. 3:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
NUCLEAR ENERGY
COMMERCIALIZATION
SOLAR ENERGY
LEGAL ASPECTS
POLITICAL ASPECTS
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
140400* - Solar Energy- Environmental Aspects
290600 - Energy Planning & Policy- Nuclear Energy
299001 - Energy Planning & Policy- Solar- (1989-)