ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the political economy of state regulation of hazardous industries by considering the relationship between the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Kerr-McGee Corporation, an energy conglomerate engaged in the mining, milling, and processing of radioactive materials. The Atomic Energy Act of 1946 established the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and charged it with the responsibility of promoting and regulating the new industry as well as establishing health and safety standards for nuclear operations. The chapter traces Kerr-McGee's safety record from its uranium mining and milling operations in the Four Comers area to the Cimarron plutonium facility, where Karen Silk wood was employed, to its uranium processing plant near Gore, Oklahoma. Examination of Kerr-McGee's safety record from Indian Country to Karen Silkwood to Gore reveals, both the NRC and the AEC have overlooked or minimized a consistent pattern of hazardous procedures, accidents, and violations by the energy conglomerate, and have thus failed to carry out their stated regulatory functions.
