State environmental and siting laws for power facilities

Journal Article · Sun Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976 · Power Eng.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7339761

Evans, V A

An increasing number of states have new laws that require comprehensive environmental reviews of proposed new power facilities. These are in addition to existing federal requirements. Generally, all these reviews have to be completed prior to any substantial commitments of resources. This proliferation of review and its growing stringency is likely to stretch out the licensing process and make it more costly. Two types of state laws have been passed. Twenty-five states have passed laws regulating power facility siting. These cover nuclear and fossil power plants and transmission lines. Five other states have environmental impact statement requiresments for non-government facilities such as power plants. Early site planning and state certification of power plant sites and transmission corridors are required by the siting laws. Many also require siting reviews for fuel conversion facilities and other major industrial facilities. These siting laws call for varying levels of environmental review, but not necessarily the issuance of an environmental impact statement (EIS). Many states have instituted a ''one-stop licensing'' process during which decisions on all state permits are made. The state EIS requirements are similar to those of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 which requires an EIS for any Federal action, including licensing actions, which may have a significant environmental impact.

• OSTI ID: 7339761
• Journal Information: Power Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: Power Eng.; (United States) Vol. 80:8; ISSN POENA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
293000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
296000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
LAWS
LEGAL ASPECTS
LICENSING
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
POWER TRANSMISSION LINES
PUBLIC UTILITIES
SITE SELECTION
THERMAL POWER PLANTS