Document: 486 U.S. 663 108 S.Ct. 2087 100 L.Ed.2d 693 F. Clark HUFFMAN, et al., Petitionersv.WESTERN NUCLEAR, INC., al. No. 87-645. Argued April 27, 1988. Decided June 15, Syllabus Section 161(v) of the Atomic Energy Act 1954 authorizes Department (DOE) to offer its services, for a fee, convert natural uranium into enriched used fuel in commercial reactors, and provides that DOE "shall" restrict enrichment foreign-source intended use domestic facilities "to extent necessary assure maintenance viable industry." has determined industry not been "viable" since 1983, imposition restrictions on DOE's foreign would viability. Respondent mining milling companies filed suit against petitioners (DOE some officers employees) Federal District Court, alleging failure impose constituted violation § 161(v). Respondents moved summary judgment based this claim, arguing two facts—that was imposed no uranium—established their entitlement as matter law under Petitioners cross-motion judgment, contending did require when those serve statutory goal assuring industry. The court entered respondents, holding statute gave discretion determine if viable. Court Appeals affirmed relevant part. Held: does where such restriction achieve "assur[ing] industry," ties amount be achievement goal. Pp. 671-674. 825 F.2d 1430 (CA10 1987), reversed remanded. BLACKMUN, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. Thomas W. Merrill, petitioners. Peter J. Nickles, Washington, D.C. respondents. Justice BLACKMUN 1 1954, amended, 78 Stat. 606, 42 U.S.C. 2201(v), shall "viable"1 In case we consider whether requires uranium, irrespective make We conclude it not. 2 * 1964, part efforts move nuclear-power private sector, Congress enacted Private Ownership Special Nuclear Materials (Act), Pub.L. 88-489, 602, which amended permit privately owned utilities operating nuclear reactors also own, first time, reactors. At time statute's enactment, predecessor, Commission (AEC), only entity world with reactors.2 161(v), accounted de facto monopoly by authorizing AEC "toll enrichment" services whereby could obtain unenriched open market have fee. It protect from competition during period transition Government-controlled an one, included requirement AEC, written "criteria," industry."3 3 criteria initially established provided enrich use. See 31 Fed.Reg. 16479 (1966). 1974, expecting increase demand match anticipated expansion power, gradual elimination end 1983 39 38016 (1974). phase-out took place according schedule, DOE, replaced these purposes,4 reimposed uranium. 4 early optimistic forecast power turned gloomy late 1970's 1980's, economic condition deteriorated. Cancellations delays construction led drop which, turn, brought about precipitous decline price ore.5 attributed other developments national international markets. lost European consortia Soviet Union began supply produced ore. 51 3625 (1986). This allowed suppliers, who offered lower prices, compete successfully suppliers business utilities. Another competitive alternative emergence secondary utilities, bound long-term contracts purchase excess needs, sold at substantial discounts. Ibid. 5 170B added improve Congress' ability monitor industry's condition. 96 2081, 2210b. new provision required Secretary promulgate assessing viability report President annually accordingly issued criteria, still effect, see 10 CFR pt. 761 (1988), define largely terms "the will capable, any particular supplying needs variety hypothetical conditions." 48 45747 (1983). Applying reported but one year later longer S.Rep. 100-214, p. 9 (1987) (noting change prospect 1985 or 1986). 6 Shortly after viable, he initiated rulemaking revising governing services. 3624-3632 his notice proposed rulemaking, specifically stated that, despite depressed industry, because "[i]mport Id., 3627. 7 After receiving extensive comments, adopted final revised again include enrichment. 762 (1988). response critical comments explained: "The plain language makes clear are automatically is non-viable, they needed to, fact, 27134 Finding problems were due "[s]tructural weaknesses," particularly collapse consequent inability sustain enabled recover cost production, concluded do nothing cure ills. 27135. Moreover, found had respect force customers 27138. repeated earlier conclusion "would id., 27135, and, anything, "counterproductive," send away, requiring heavier costs remaining suppliers. 27136. 8 Before before latest three companies, United States Colorado employees, here.6 alleged, among things, App. 10-15. claim,7 uranium—sufficed establish 27-28. Accepting respondents' facts, submitted 39. Pet. Cert. 22a. According court, view determination immediate injunctive relief remedy "continuing refusal recognize obligations 2201(v)," 22a-23a, order limit 25% all material between December 31, 1986; imposing total ban beginning January 1, 1987, until assured"; calling commenced "criteria less restrictive than 23a. appealed Tenth Circuit.8 That Court's (1987). unambiguous: term indicated mandatory, phrase industry" "determine how much viability, cannot decide viable." F.2d, 1439. Appeals, clearly instructs 11 "when nonviability determined, must become increasingly aggressive, point 100% restriction, rejuvenated becomes request, stayed mandate pending disposition petition certiorari. 4. granted writ. 484 1003, 692, 98 645 II 12 begin emphasizing question presented here narrow comes us challenge entry judgment. rests legal drawn uncontested facts: facilities. On basis facts alone, courts below violating law, read whenever viable—whether result successful resuscitation 1437. Therefore, neither underlying assessment nor nor, indeed, what means "assure . review. whether, regardless effects 13 considering interpretation, agree Appeals' unambiguous. While reading implausible, can bear. If there doubt restrictions. circumstances, But applies directly addressed statute. Indeed, well might infer issue focus concern enacted. therefore look express purpose requirements apply here. 14 articulated more language. v. American Trucking Assns., Inc., 310 534, 543, 60 1059, 1063-1064, 84 L.Ed. 1345 (1940) ("There is, course, persuasive evidence words legislature undertook give expression wishes"). satisfy single goal: 15 Both parties behind provision, put different uses. contend reveals made policy always commanded threatened destroyed. suggest circumstances simply reflects disagreement 1439 ("DOE's argument wise present should courts"). 16 contrast, asserts congressional defines proper obligation: goal, then violate declining suggests, knew incapable serving would, act outside authority. 17 strikes one.9 parties, remand, argue over properly seems strained assert even nevertheless somehow calculated unattainable goal.10 impossible ascertain calculate interpretation guidepost 1438 (interpreting "inform[ing] required") (emphasis original). Where determines exists, without guidance setting barred enriching assumption greater restrictions, assured grounded case's status, accept assertion false. III 18 Because intend achieve, remanded further proceedings consistent opinion.11 19 so ordered. A purist regard word misused context. appears therefore, inescapably, variants throughout opinion. H. Fowler, Modern English Usage 679 (2d ed. 1965); Follett, 344-345 "Enrichment," context, refers process proportion fissionable isotope U-235 increased approximately 1% 3%. Natural, unenriched, produce electric power. portion states authorized toll provided: "That Commission, source special materials origin utilization facility within jurisdiction States. writing forth conditions subsection available including States: Provided, establishes Joint Committee [on Energy], forty-five days elapse while session unless resolution waives of, forty-five-day period." 2201(v). Reorganization 88 1233, 5801 seq., abolished AEC. 5814(a). functions divided regulatory bodies. Its "licensing related functions" transferred Regulatory Commission. 5841(f). All functions, enrichment-services program, Research Development Administration, 5814(c), became §§ 301 703 Organization Act, 91 577, 7151(a) 7293. Between 1979 1986, dropped $43.25 per pound $17.00 pound, suggests conventional producers' average production. Status Domestic Uranium Mining Milling Industry: Effects Imports, Hearing Subcommittee Senate Natural Resources, 97th Cong., 1st Sess., 148 (1981) (statement Edison Electric Institute reporting 1981); 27136, n. (1986) (reporting 1986 price). Apparently remained low. Weekly Metals Prices, Financial Times, 8, 1988, 34, col. (London ed.) $15.75 pound). John S. Herrington, Energy; Huffman, Sherry E. Peske, Philip G. Sewell, James Vaughn, Joseph Salgado, employees sued official capacities; itself. For convenience, referred collectively DOE. motion, respondents sought claim promulgated pursuant assess "fatally flawed." 27. leave withdraw motion prejudice. request 24a. appeal pending, joint continuing appropriations provide funding agencies. 1783. 305 expressly litigation 1783-210. addition reasonable, maintains interpretations equally entitled deference "permissible construction" agency charged administration. Young Community Nutrition Institute, 476 974, 980, 106 2360, 2364, 90 959 (1986), quoting Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Resources Defense Council, 467 837, 843, 104 2778, 2781-2782, 81 694 (1984). Although years deference, Brief unclear articulated, advance litigation, application July 29, month granting stating continue refuse "in [in part] formally record section 161(v)." 27134, plausible need manner affect degree warrants. Cf. Securities Industry Assn. Board Governors, FRS, 468 137, 143-144, 2979, 2982-2983, 82 107 (1984) (Board counsel's post hoc rationalizations action little deference). Of position tying purpose. Were governed statute, wisdom ignore it. styled memorandum opposition, 39, opposition insufficient favor. resolved necessarily trigger obligation Whether violated failing addressed, instance, remand opportunity presentation briefing.

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