The Atomic Energy Commission was established in 1946 to direct the research, development, and production of nuclear weapons and the peaceful uses of atomic energy. It was responsible for developing nuclear reactors for civilian and military purposes and overseeing the safety of the nuclear industry. In 1974, it was abolished due to conflicts between its responsibilities for developing and regulating the commercial nuclear power industry, and its responsibilities were divided between the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Department of Energy.
The Atomic Energy Commission was established by the United States Congress when it enacted the Atomic Energy Act of 1946. In the aftermath of World War II, this act transferred control and supervision of atomic energy to the United States Joined by the military services to the Atomic Energy Commission, a civilian agency within the federal government. In general, the commission’s role prior to its abolition was to direct the research, development and production of nuclear weapons, as well as the peaceful uses of atomic energy.
Included in the functions of the commission were the military objectives of producing materials for atomic fuels and the testing and manufacture of nuclear weapons. He was also responsible for developing nuclear reactors for both civilian and military purposes. Finally, the Atomic Energy Commission was to direct research into the use of nuclear materials in engineering and the physical, medical and biological sciences.
Administratively, a five-member board of directors was appointed to head the new agency. Three major advisory committees have also been set up to provide input and guidance. The Atomic Energy Commission was required to consult with the Military Liaison Committee on everything related to the military application of atomic energy. For the first 10 years of its existence, the majority of the commission’s resources went to the development and production of nuclear weapons and other military uses of atomic energy. A Joint Congressional Committee on Atomic Energy provided congressional oversight, and the General Advisory Committee, composed of leading atomic researchers, gave necessary technical and scientific direction to the Atomic Energy Commission.
In 1954, the United States Congress added to the commission’s responsibilities by amending the original Atomic Energy Act of 1946. The 1954 amendments allowed the commission to transfer information on nuclear technology to other countries and private companies. In doing so, the Atomic Energy Commission became responsible for overseeing the expansion of commercial uses for nuclear energy in the U.S. In the 1960s and early 1970s, the Atomic Energy Commission worked with private industry companies to develop reactors capable of producing electricity. Also, in 1954, the Atomic Energy Commission was given the role of regulating the safety of the nuclear industry.
Conflicts eventually developed between the commission’s responsibilities for both developing and regulating the commercial nuclear power industry. These conflicts led the United States Congress to abolish the Atomic Energy Commission in 1974. Its responsibilities were then divided between the newly created Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Department of Energy.
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