Date of Award
3-2019
Degree Type
Research Paper
Degree Name
Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy (ES&P)
Department
International Development, Community and Environment
Chief Instructor
Morgan Ruelle
Keywords
decommissioning, nuclear energy, environmental policy, nuclear regulatory commission, nuclear power plant decommissioning, decommissioning policy, public participation, public involvement in decommissioning, stakeholder involvement in nuclear decommissioning
Abstract
As the number of nuclear power plants slated for decommissioning increases, reflecting on the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC’s) decommissioning regulations in relation to public participation becomes increasingly important. When plants close, communities lose security in economics, employment, and environmental and human health. The NRC’s regulations on public involvement are very limited and generally stakeholders do not feel supported in the decommissioning process. Local and tribal governments, citizen groups, the general public, and those directly affected have all found the NRC’s public involvement inadequate, ineffective, and infrequent. The case studies of two completely decommissioned plants, Maine Yankee and Big Rock Point, and recommendations/actions of other decommissioning groups, governments, and stakeholders were used to inform policy recommendations for the NRC in order to create a decommissioning process that provides equal opportunity to learn, discuss, and plan for all stakeholders.
Recommended Citation
Stabulas, Alexis, "An Analysis of United States Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning Policy and the Public Participation Process" (2019). International Development, Community and Environment (IDCE). 237.
https://commons.clarku.edu/idce_masters_papers/237
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