Federal and State Responsibilities in the Environmental Control of Nuclear Power Plants
Introduction
This Note will investigate the present scheme of environmental regulation for nuclear power facilities, with primary emphasis on inter-governmental relations in the regulatory process. As will be shown, there has, in the past, been a complete dichotomy in the environmental control of nuclear power plants, with the federal government having sole responsibility for regulating radiological factors, and the states regulating all non-radiological aspects. A regulatory split continues, but now, for the first time, all environmental factors must be considered in the federal nuclear power plant licensing process as a result of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the decision in Calvert Cliffs Coordinating Committee v. Atomic EnergyCommission. The profound effect of these recent developments will be analyzed to determine probable future trends in the environmental regulation of nuclear power facilities.
Suggested Reading
Civil Liberties Implications of Nuclear Power Development--Preface, The
Opening remarks for a symposium on the economic and noneconomic costs of nuclear development, in the wake of the Three Mile Island disaster.
The Civil Liberties Implications of a Nuclear Emergency
Evaluation of the ways in which civil liberties may be infringed upon by the growth of government power in response to the threat of a nuclear emergency.
Response to The Civil Liberties Implications of a Nuclear Emergency
Response to John H. Barton's arguments about growth of government power affecting civil liberties; discussion of the fundamental change between the government and civil society
Nuclear Power and the Security Imperative
Security implications of commercial nuclear power; challenges to civil liberties; implications of the move toward nuclear power as emboldening the police state
Nuclear Power, Rapid Technological Advancement, and Democratic Values
Paper on the rapid technological advancement, growth of multinational corporations, and the consequences of these on democracy given nuclear energy.
Nuclear Power: An Overview of the Principal Technical Concerns
Paper by a nuclear energy industry insider over his perception of the myths around nuclear energy that exist, including health, safety and proliferation.
Response: Nuclear Power and the Security Imperative
Commentary and responses to prior arguments regarding nuclear power, inadequate safeguards, and security issues implicating/infringing upon civil liberties