NEPA, Nukes and Non-Proliferation: Clarifying the Transnational Impact Statement Mandate in Nuclear Export Licensing

To what extent does the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) govern transnational exchanges particularly in the area of commercial nuclear exports? In this article, the author details the theoretical and practical integration of various statutory mandates in a search for a coherent United States policy regarding nuclear exports and environmental protection. NEPA and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978 are of special interest in understanding to what extent United States licensing criteria should include examination of foreign environmental impacts.