United States Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)

The United States Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) was an agency established in 1946 to oversee the development and regulation of nuclear energy and weapons. It managed atomic research, protected public health and safety, and promoted peaceful uses of nuclear technology. The AEC played a key role during the Cold War in developing nuclear weapons and supporting civilian nuclear power. In 1974, it was replaced by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Energy Research and Development Administration to better focus on regulation and energy development. The AEC's work significantly shaped nuclear policy and safety standards in the U.S.