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Nuclear debate: clashes in Congress and California

Journal Article · · Science; (United States)
OSTI ID:7365594

Near the close of the 1975 congressional session, both the House and the Senate had passed legislation extending the Price-Anderson nuclear insurance law that limits the nuclear industry's liability in the event of a catastrophic accident. Both houses had voted down proposed amendments that would have allowed injured parties to sue for damages above the specified liability limits. State governments may now act on the issue, though. Twenty-two states possess an initiative mechanism whereby the voter may do some direct legislation by his ballot. Past decision making in California by the initiative mechanism is discussed, and its application to the nuclear debate is summarized. The congressional actions over the Price-Anderson law are analyzed in the first part of the article, and the events that have made the California proposition possible are discussed in the second portion. (MCW)

OSTI ID:
7365594
Journal Information:
Science; (United States), Journal Name: Science; (United States) Vol. 191:4222; ISSN SCIEA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English