Title: National security and environmental protection: new realities in American public policy

Authors: Eric J. Fitch

Addresses: Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Marietta College, Marietta, OH, USA

Abstract: Definitions of ||National Security|| revolve around the ability of a nation to defend borders and project power. Some have challenged these definitions and tried expanding the concept to include environmental protection as part of national interest. This idea hasn|t achieved broad acceptance and the core remained focused on the activities of the military. In the United States post-September 11 2001, these areas were thrust together and conflicts of authorities arose. This article examines conflicts that have arisen in American policy revolving around environmental protection and national security; in particular in the areas of public dissemination of environmental information, Community Right-To-Know, Energy Policy, Nuclear Power Regulation, and Defense Department compliance with environmental laws.

Keywords: national security; environmental protection; public policy; USA; United States; environmental information: community right-to-know; energy policy; nuclear power regulation; nuclear energy; government compliance; environmental laws.

DOI: 10.1504/IER.2004.053915

Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, 2004 Vol.6 No.1, pp.29 - 39

Published online: 13 May 2013 *

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