1984 - Energy

Energy

France receives her first deliveries of Soviet natural gas January 1; only 5 percent of the nation's electrical power is generated by oil, while 55 percent is generated by nuclear plants, up from 39 percent in 1974. No other country depends so heavily on nuclear energy.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission grants the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant near San Luis Obispo, Calif., a license August 2 to begin full-power operations. Fears of earthquake damage and design-flaw issues have delayed approval for a decade, and two inspectors have resigned amidst charges that Pacific Gas & Electric Co. officials were obstructing their inquiries.