Passed in 1974 during the Ford Administration, this act created the Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA) and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The purpose of the act was to begin an extensive non-nuclear federal research program, separating the regulation of the nuclear power from research functions. Regulation was carried out by the NRC, while nuclear power research was carried out by the ERDA. The passage of the 1974 Energy Reorganization Act ended the existence of the Atomic Energy Commission, which had been the main instrument to implement nuclear policy. In 1977 ERDA incorporated into the newly created U.S. Department of Energy.

See Also

Alternative Energy Sources; Energy Policy