University of Kentucky UKnowledge European Politics Political Science 1986 Politics and Nuclear Power: Energy Policy in Western Europe Michael T. Hatch University of the Pacific Click here to let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Thanks to the University of Kentucky Libraries and the University Press of Kentucky, this book is freely available to current faculty, students, and staff at the University of Kentucky. Find other University of Kentucky Books at uknowledge.uky.edu/upk. For more information, please contact UKnowledge at [email protected]. Recommended Citation Hatch, Michael T., "Politics and Nuclear Power: Energy Policy in Western Europe" (1986). European Politics. 3. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/upk_european_politics/3 Politics and Nuclear Power This page intentionally left blank Politics and Nuclear Power ENERGY POLICY IN WESTERN EUROPE Michael T. Hatch THE UNIVERSITY PRESS OF KENTUCKY For my parents Copyright © 1986 by The University Press of Kentucky Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth, serving Bellarmine College, Berea College, Centre College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, The Filson Club, Georgetown College, Kentucky Historieal Society, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University. Editorial and Sales O{fices: Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0024 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Hatch, Michael T., 1945- Politics and nuclear power. Bibliography: p. lncludes index. 1. Nuclear industry-Government policy-Europe. 2. Nuclear power plants-Government policy-Europe. 3. Energy policy-Europe. I. Title. HD9698.E82H38 1986 333.79'24'094 85-29545 ISBN: 978-0-8131-5256-1 Contents Acknowledgments vii Abbreviations ix 1. Energy Policies and National Age n das 1 2. World Energy Markets and National Policy 9 3. The Energy Crises of the 1970s 37 4. Unraveling Consensus in West Germany, 1973-1977 68 5. Stalemate in West Germany, 1978-1984 102 6. Nuclear Power and the French State 141 7. Consensus Politics in the Netherlands 171 8. Nuclear Politics and Policymaking 186 Appendix 193 Notes 203 Index 215 This page intentionally left blank Acknowledgments This study would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of numerous individuals to whom I owe much. Initial encouragement was provided through partic­ ipation in the research project "Studies on International Scientific and Technological Regimes," directed by Ernst B. Haas and John Gerard Ruggie, housed in the Institute of International Studies at the University of California, Berke­ ley, and funded through the Rockefeller Foundation. A doc­ toral dissertation developed out of this project, financial support for the field work coming primarily from the Ger­ man Fulbright Commission; additional support during the writing process was provided by the Institute of Interna­ tional Studies at Berkeley. The effectiveness of my research in Europe was greatly enhanced by the Deutsche Gesells­ chaft Fuer Auswaertige Politik, which opened its facilities to me throughout my stay in Bonn. Likewise, the assistance of the Atlantic Institute and its staffproved invaluable for my research in Paris. The resources subsequently required for rewriting and revisions were generously provided by the Politics Board at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and the Political Science Department of the University of California, Davis. Many public officials in the Federal Republic ofGermany, France, and the Netherlands gave freely of their time and opinions while being interviewed. To them, I am most grate­ ful. My gratitude also goes out to John P. Holdren and Leslie Lipson who, as members of my dissertation committee, pa- vüi Acknowledgments tiently read and commented on the earlier version of this manuscript. In the process oftransforming this study from a dissertation into a hook, the assistance received from re­ viewers and editors associated with the University Press of Kentucky has been invaluable. In acknowledging debts, members of the Politics Board and the Comparative and International Studies O.R.A. at the University of California, Santa Cruz-where the hulk of the revisions were done-must receive special mention. As friends, they lightened an often arduous task and as col­ leagues, they provided critical comments. In particular, I would like to thank Michael Brown, who read and com­ meuted on the entire manuscript, and Isebill Gruhn, whose critiques ofparts of the study were most useful. My greatest debt, however, is to Ernest B. Haas, who provided the intel­ lectual guidance and unstinting support that made this study possible. What merit this study may have is due in large part to his influence; its shortcomings were beyond even his capabilities to remedy. Finally, to my parents and friends go heartfelt thanks; their encouragement and support provided a constant source of renewal throughout the writing process. Abbreviations AEG Allgemeine Elektrizitaets Gesellschaft ARP Anti-Revolutionaire Partij, Evangelische Volkspartij BBC Brown, Boverie & Cie BBU Bundesverband Buergerinitiativen Umweltschutz BMFT Bundesministerium fuer Forschung und Technologie BMI Bundesministerium des lnnern BMW i Bundesministerium fuer Wirtscnaft CDA Christen-Demokratisch Appel CDF Charbonnages de France CDU Christlich-Demokratische Union CE Coal Equivalent CEA Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique CFDT Confederation Fran~;aise Democratique du Travail CFP Compagnie Fran~;aise des Petroles CGE Compagnie Generale d'Electricite CGT Confederation Generale du Travail CHU Christlijk-Historische Unie CNEN Comitato Nazionale per !'Energia Nucleare CNV Christelijk Nationaal Vakverbond in Nederland Cogema Compagnie Generale des Matieres Nucleaires CPN Communistische Partij van Nederland CREST Comite de la Recherche Scientifique et Technique csu Christlich-Soziale Union D'66 Democraten'66 DGB Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund DWK Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Wiederaufarbeitung von Kernbrennstoffen EC European Community ECSC European Coal and Steel Community X Abbreviations ECU European Currency Unit EDF Electricite de France EEC European Economic Community ENA Ecole Nationale d'Administration ENI Ente Nazionale Idrocarburi EP Ecole Polytechnique ERAP Entreprise de Recherche et d'Activite Petroliere Euratom European Atomic Energy Community Eurodif European Gaseous Diffusion Enrichment Plant Study Group FBR Fast Breeder Reactor FDP Freie Demokratische Partei FNV Federatie N ederlandse V akbeweging GDF Gaz de France GDP Gross Domestic Product GNP Gross National Product GW Gigawatt HTR High Temperature Reactor IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency lEA International Energy Agency INB Internationale-N atrium-Brutreaktor-Baugese­ llschaft INFCE International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Evaluation Interatom Internationale Atomreaktorbau KVP Katholieke Volkspartij kWh kilowatt hour KWU Kraftwerk Union LMFBR Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor LNG Liquid Natural Gas LWR Light Water Reactor mbd million barrels per day mtce million ton coal equivalent mtpe million ton petroleum equivalent MW Megawatt NAM Nederlandse Aardolie Matschappij NKV Nederlands Katholiek Vakverbond NNPA Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act NPT Non-Proliferation Treaty NRW North Rhine-Westphalia NVV Nederlands Verbond van Vakverenigingen OAPEC Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries Abbreviations xi OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Develop­ ment OPEC Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries PCF Parti Communiste Franc;ais PEON Commission Consultative pour la Production d'Elec­ tricite d'Origine Nucleaire PPR Politieke Partij Radikalen PR Parti Republicain PS Parti Socialiste PvdA Partij van de Arbeid R&D Research and Development R,D&D Research, Development and Demonstration RPR Rassemblement pour la Republique RSK Reaktorsicherheitskommission RWE Rheinisch-Westphaelische Elektrizitaetswerke SEP Samenwerkende Electriciteits-Productiebedriejven SNR Schneller Natriumgekuelter Reaktor SPD Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands SSK Strahlenschu tzkommission TA-Luft Technische Anleitung-Luft TEG Teilerrichtungsgenehmigung tbd thousand barrels per day TMI Three Mile Island UAE United Arab Emirates UCN Ultra-Centrifuge Nederland URENCO British-German-Dutch Enrichment Plant Ownership Company VVD Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie This page intentionally left blank 1. Energy Policies and National Agendas In recent years, the topic of energy has captured the atten­ tion-if not the imagination-of policymakers in the ad­ vanced industrialized countries of the West. The reason is obvious. Energy considerations have become central to the most pressing problems ofmodern society: economic growth, employment, and inflation. Economic growth in particular is intimately linked with energy consumption. Over the past thirty years, economic expansion in Western Europe, North America, and J apan has been fueled by an exponential increase in the consumption of oil. As long as oil supplies remained abundant and cheap, this development occasioned little concern. Once supply became problematical and prices skyrocketed, however, the implications for economic growth, employment, and inflation were forcefully brought home to policymakers and general public alike. More recently, questions of environmental degradation have become prominent on political agendas. The most im­ mediate worry has been the pollution of air and water, largely caused by current energy