Formed August 4, 1977 Website energy.gov | Annual budget $24.1 billion (2009) | |
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Preceding agencies Energy Research and Development Administration
Federal Energy Administration Employees 16,000 federal (2009)
93,094 contract (2008) Department executives Steven Chu, Secretary
Daniel Poneman, Deputy Secretary. | ||
A unit of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission authorized under the Atomic Energy Act, the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel consists of administrative law judges who hear complaints similar to ordinary district court except for subject matter jurisdiction which pertains to matters under the Act, specifically, nuclear safety issues pertaining to licensed nuclear power plants. There are in excess of one hundred such plants in the United States, some of which are subject to litigation before the panel.
Contents
Scope of authority
Licensing Boards conduct public hearings concerning contested issues that arise in the course of licensing and enforcement. The scope is restricted to nuclear reactors and the civilian use of nuclear materials . Jurisdiction is limited to civilian commercial nuclear power reactors, test and research reactors in the United States. Thus, plants owned by US firms or operated by the US government in overseas location, are exempt.
Mandate
The NRC is charged to protect the public health, safety, and the environment. The ASLB does not look to promotion of nuclear or atomic energy as any concern. It differs from "similar federal regulatory or administrative tribunals" in that the three Board judges usually consist of one attorney and two scientific experts. "Individuals who are directly affected by any licensing action involving a facility producing or utilizing nuclear materials can participate in a hearing..."
Current and historic concerns
Matters under adjudication include "early site permits", operating licenses for proposed nuclear reactors, Yucca Mountain, and the contentions of Mothers for Peace with regard to Diablo Canyon Power Plant. In the aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident, regulatory pressures are expected to increase.
Diablo Canyon Power Plant
DCPP is located in an area proximal to several earthquake faults which have created increasing public anxiety in 2011. As a result,both the operator, Pacific Gas and Electric, anti-nuclear activists, and public officials requested that the litigation before the Board, as well as re-licensing of the plant, to be suspended pending completion of three dimensional seismic studies. This request was granted, with all sides claiming the move as a victory for their respective causes.