Atomic Energy Law: A Law Textbook and a Science Hornbook
Author(s): Budd Haemer
Summary:
Atomic Energy Law interweaves three major legal strands—administrative law, environmental law, and constitutional law—against the backdrop of nuclear science. It tells the story of how the Atomic Energy Act (AEA) and its amendments have shaped the use of commercial nuclear technology over the past seventy years. Along the way it:
Provides essential historical background for students new to atomic energy.
Tracks key U.S. Supreme Court decisions that define agency authority, environmental standards, and government structure.
Teaches the narrative of evolving regulatory power under the AEA, NRC governance, and federal preemption of state nuclear safety rules.
Integrates scientific fundamentals—nuclear physics, engineering basics, radiation risks so students can explore marshalling expert testimony for judges and regulators to rely on.
Key Features:
Designed to accompany any Administrative Law, Environmental Law, or Constitutional Law casebook.
Places atomic energy controversies (e.g., waste disposal, licensing delays, environmental reviews) in familiar doctrinal contexts.
Highlights scientific disputes around reactor safety, radiation exposure, and accident analyses.
Offers a science “hornbook” perspective, showing how expert evidence drives administrative and judicial outcomes.
Mr. Haemer teaches Atomic Energy Law and Appellate Advocacy at George Washington University Law School.
Mr. Haemer served as in-house counsel for a utility at its nuclear power plant. He also was a lawyer with the nuclear energy practice of a major law firm. His practice covers a wide range of legal topics necessary for successful support of commercial nuclear power operation, including State and NRC regulatory matters, commercial transactions, employee relations, and government affairs.
Prior to becoming a lawyer, Mr. Haemer served in the U.S. Navy as an engineering duty officer with the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. His work there covered control of nuclear testing, quality assurance, radiological protection, and defueling of submarine reactors. He rose to the level of Deputy Program Manager for environmental, health and safety programs in the nuclear technology section.
Atomic Energy Law interweaves three major legal strands—administrative law, environmental law, and constitutional law—against the backdrop of nuclear science. It tells the story of how the Atomic Energy Act (AEA) and its amendments have shaped the use of commercial nuclear technology over the past seventy years. Along the way it:Provides essential historical background for students new to atomic energy.Tracks key U.S. Supreme Court decisions that define agency authority, environmental standards, and government structure.Teaches the narrative of evolving regulatory power under the AEA, NRC governance, and federal preemption of state nuclear safety rules.Integrates scientific fundamentals—nuclear physics, engineering basics, radiation risks so students can explore marshalling expert testimony for judges and regulators to rely on.Key Features:Designed to accompany any Administrative Law, Environmental Law, or Constitutional Law casebook.Places atomic energy controversies (e.g., waste disposal, licensing delays, environmental reviews) in familiar doctrinal contexts.Highlights scientific disputes around reactor safety, radiation exposure, and accident analyses.Offers a science “hornbook” perspective, showing how expert evidence drives administrative and judicial outcomes.
