Distribution of Nuclear Energy Pamphlet by Energy Research and Development Administration

Pursuant to congressional requests, GAO commented on the propriety of the Energy Research and Development Administration's (ERDA) publication and distribution of a nuclear energy pamphlet in California prior to that state's referendum on nuclear safeguards. GAO noted that: (1) ERDA distributed the pamphlets as part of its Performance Awareness Program in California and, although it did not directly distribute the pamphlet to the public, ERDA did not restrict the pamphlet's redistribution by its initial recipients; (2) there was no evidence that ERDA violated any applicable law, the first amendment of the Constitution, appropriation limitations, or government printing regulations by the publication and distribution of the pamphlet; and (3) federal anti-lobbying laws did not extend to lobbying at the state level.