United States domestic and international nuclear policies established under the Reagan administration

Key aspects of the U.S. National Energy Policy Plan (NEPP) which set the stage for specific approaches in the nuclear area are discussed. These aspects are as follows: (i) NEPP shows faith in domestic energy production (including nuclear power) and in the supply side of the economy generally; (ii) It supports elimination of unnecessary regulation; (iii) It reorients Federal spending on energy research and development and reduces support in areas that can better be performed in the private sector. However, it does not signal an end to Federal support for RandD on energy technology of the future in areas where a combination of financial risks and long lead times fail to attract adequate commercial investment; (iv) It foresees the demand for electricity as probably rising more rapidly in the future than overall U.S. energy demand, which in combination with high oil prices will increase the desirability of shifting to cheaper means of generating electricity. (v) It is broader in scope than the activities of the Department of Energy and involves the cooperation of other U.S. government agencies which have important roles to play in the U.S. energy economy