Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)

The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) was established by the United States in 1946 to oversee the development and regulation of nuclear energy and its use for peaceful purposes, such as electricity generation. It was responsible for managing nuclear power plants, conducting research, and ensuring safety standards. The AEC also dealt with the military aspects of atomic energy during the Cold War. In 1974, its regulatory functions were transferred to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), while the AEC itself focused more on research and development, eventually being dissolved in 1975.