Metropolitan Edison Co. v. People Against Nuclear Energy, was a case decided by the United States Supreme Court.

Facts

After the meltdown of reactor number 2 at Three Mile Island, The People Against Nuclear Energy (PANE) contended that restarting reactor number 1 would cause severe psychological trauma to residents of nearby towns. They filed a suit in the court of appeals, citing National Environmental Policy Act

National Environmental Policy Act

The National Environmental Policy Act is a United States environmental law that established a U.S. national policy promoting the enhancement of the environment and also established the President's Council on Environmental Quality ....

 protections of the natural environment. The court agreed.

Issue

Whether there are situations in which an environmental impact statement

Environmental impact statement

An environmental impact statement , under United States environmental law, is a document required by the National Environmental Policy Act for certain actions "significantly affecting the quality of the human environment". An EIS is a tool for decision making...

 under the National Environmental Policy Act must consider the effects of a proposed action on psychological health.

Holding

The Court ruled that the NRC did not act improperly in not considering the conditions of PANE.

Reasoning

In considering such concerns as warm water released into the Susquehanna River

Susquehanna River

The Susquehanna River is a river located in the northeastern United States. At long, it is the longest river on the American east coast that drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and with its watershed it is the 16th largest river in the United States, and the longest river in the continental United...

, and the release of low level radiation, the NRC acted properly in considering environmental risks.