Psychological harm after PANE: NEPA's requirement to consider psychological damage

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984 · Harv. Environ. Law Rev.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5094607

Jordan, III, W S

In Metropolitan Edison Co. v. People Against Nuclear Energy (PANE), the Supreme Court held that the National Environmental Policy Act does not require the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to consider the probable impact of its actions on psychological health. The Court's opinion, however, supports the conclusion that NEPA generally requires federal agencies to consider such probable impacts. This article examines the scope of federal responsibility following this decision. It delineates the causal relationship test that the Court adopted in PANE, and discusses possible obstacles to the consideration of psychological impacts under NEPA. It divides federal actions into four categories, then considers the benefits and burdens of the ruling using the NRC's responsibility to consider psychological health effects before licensing new nuclear reactors. 221 references.

• Research Organization: Harmon, Weiss and Jordan, Washington, DC
• OSTI ID: 5094607
• Journal Information: Harv. Environ. Law Rev.; (United States), Vol. 8:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT
LEGAL ASPECTS
SOCIAL IMPACT
REACTORS
HEALTH HAZARDS
PSYCHOLOGY
US NRC
REGULATIONS
CASE LAW
HAZARDS
LAWS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
US ORGANIZATIONS
220900* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Reactor Safety
290300 - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety