PS 3480, Environmental Politics, March 18, 2009

   

 

How Does the United States Govern Energy?

3. Oil

 

· OPEC, the Oil Crises of the 1970s and the environmental agenda
 

4

. The Politics of Nuclear Power    

 

The Promise of Nuclear Power


Nuclear Power and Public Policy: Government Encouragement

  • The Price Amendment (1957) - limits power company liability

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  • 1975: Nuclear Power at the height of its popularity


The Problems of Nuclear Power

  • Image Problems
  • 1979: Three Mile Island

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  • 1986: Chernobyl
  • Technical Problems

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  • Economic Problems

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  • Nuclear Waste

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  • Political Conflict (Shoreham)
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    5. Alternatives to Coal, Oil, and Nuclear Power

    a. Nonrenewable sources

    • Natural gas: Oil’s cleaner twin

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    b. Renewable sources

    • Geothermal
       
    • Hydropower

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      • The Tennessee Valley Authority

     

    c. Conservation