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Atomic Energy Commission
The Atomic Energy Act of 1946 established the Atomic Energy Commission, putting the AEC in charge of all aspects of nuclear power. The agency consisted of five civilian members who were advised by a scientific panel called the General Advisory Committee. In 1974, Congress passed the Energy Reorganization Act which abolished the AEC. The newly established Nuclear Regulatory Commission took over the AEC's regulatory functions. And the Energy Research and Development Administration took over nuclear research and development. The Department of Energy which is today in charge of nuclear weapons activities was created in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter.
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