Improving regulatory effectiveness in Federal/State siting actions. Nuclear power plant licensing: A New England perspective. Final report

This study evaluates the nuclear power plant siting licensing process from the New England perspective because the Study Team wanted to consider whether some parts of the licensing process should be conducted on multi-state basis. The report recommends; (1) the establishment of a Lead Agency to coordinate rule making, policy review, and licensing by Federal, State and local governments; (2) site review be conducted separately from the rest of the licensing process and that it be concluded before plant fabrication; (3) the need for power be determined early and based on a generic review of regional demand and supply growth; (4) issues handled generically or in the proposed earlier licensing proceedings be excluded from consideration during GP and OL proceedings; (5) public participation be improved, most particularly by the provision of financial assistance to participants and intervenors; and (6) Federal legislation should be passed to implement the recommendations, but that some changes can be made now, under existing law