Challenging Nuclear Power in the States

For the first time in more than three decades, there are viable proposals to build new nuclear power plants in the United States. Given the nuclear industry’s history of cost overruns and safety problems, Americans need a strong watchdog to protect their interests. Unfortunately, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has a poor track record of ensuring nuclear safety and federal law proscribes states from adopting their own regulations to protect the public. Challenging Nuclear Power in the States describes a series of policy and regulatory tools that citizens and advocates can use to challenge the expansion of nuclear power in the United States.

Report

For the first time in more than three decades, there are viable proposals to build new nuclear power plants in the United States. Given the nuclear industry’s history of cost overruns and safety problems, Americans need a strong watchdog to protect their interests. Unfortunately, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has a poor track record of ensuring nuclear safety and federal law proscribes states from adopting their own regulations to protect the public. Challenging Nuclear Power in the States describes a series of policy and regulatory tools that citizens and advocates can use to challenge the expansion of nuclear power in the United States.

Authors

Tony Dutzik

Associate Director and Senior Policy Analyst, Frontier Group

Tony Dutzik is associate director and senior policy analyst with Frontier Group. His research and ideas on climate, energy and transportation policy have helped shape public policy debates across the U.S., and have earned coverage in media outlets from the New York Times to National Public Radio. A former journalist, Tony lives and works in Boston.

Rob Sargent