Pacific Gas & Electric Company v. State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (1982)
- Docket
- 81-1945
- Decided
- 1982-01-01
Summary
Question: Did the California law unconstitutionally intrude into areas of federal authority as defined by the Atomic Energy Act? Conclusion: In a unanimous decision, the Court held that the California law did not impinge upon congressional authority. The Court found that because the rationale for enacting the law was an economic one, it did not interfere with federal regulations governing nuclear safety. The Court held that Congress had left "sufficient authority in the states to allow the development of nuclear power to be slowed or even stopped for economic reasons" and that the courts should not rework the division of regulatory authority created by Congress.