Florida Power & Light Co. v. Lorion, 470 U.S. 729 (1985)
Florida Power & Light Co. v.
What is the appropriate standard of judicial review under the Administrative Procedure Act when reviewing a decision of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission denying a petition for review of a nuclear safety analysis?
Under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), courts must review agency actions to ensure that they are not arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law. The reviewing court must evaluate the entire administrative record that was before the agency at the time it made its decision.
The Supreme Court held that judicial review of agency decisions under the APA should be based on the administrative record compiled by the agency, and that the scope of judicial review should be limited to determining whether the agency action was arbitrary, capricious, or an abuse of discretion.
This case is significant for law students as it clarifies the standard of review under the Administrative Procedure Act, particularly in the context of complex and technical regulatory matters. It highlights the balance between deferential review, which respects agency expertise, and rigorous judicial scrutiny, which protects against arbitrary agency actions. Florida Power & Light Co. v. Lorion is often cited in cases involving administrative agency decisions, making it a critical reference point for students studying administrative law.