Energy Reorganization Act of 1974

(LATEST SUMMARY)

Energy Reorganization Act - =Title I: Energy Research and Development Administration= - Establishes the Energy Research and Development Administration headed by an Administrator appointed by the President. Requires the Administrator and Deputy Administrator to be specially qualified by training and experience to manage a full range of energy research and development programs.

Describes the functions of the Administrator as including: (1) exercising central responsibility for policy planning, coordination, support, and management of research and development programs respecting all energy sources; (2) undertaking research and development in the extraction, conversion, transmission, and utilization phases related to the development and use of energy from fossils, nuclear, solar, geothermal, and other energy sources; (3) participating in and supporting cooperative research and development projects which may involve contributions by public or private persons or agencies, of financial or other resources to the performance of the work; and (4) developing, collecting, distributing, and making available for distributing, scientific and technical information concerning the manufacture or development of energy and its efficient extraction, conversion, transmission, and utilization.

Transfers to the Administrator all functions of the Atomic Energy Commission, the Chairman and members of the Commission, and the officers and components of the Commission, except as otherwise provided in this Act.

Transfers to the Administrator such functions of the Secretary of the Interior, the Department of Interior, and officers and components of such department: (1) as relate to or are utilized by the Office of Coal Research; and (2) as relate to or are utilized in connection with fossil fuel energy research and development programs and related activities conducted by the Bureau of Mines.

Transfers to the Administrator such functions of the National Science Foundations as relate to or are utilized in connection with: (1) solar heating and cooling development; and (2) geothermal power development.

Establishes the Energy Resources Council in the Executive Office of the President. Provides that it shall be the duty and function of the Council to (1) insure communication and coordination among the agencies of the Federal Government which have responsibilities for the development and implementation of energy policy or for the management of energy resources; (2) make recommendations to the President and to the Congress for measures to improve the implementation of Federal energy policies or the management of energy resources; and (3) advise the President in the preparation of any energy reorganization recommendations for Congress.

=Title II: Nuclear Regulatory Commission:= Establishes an independent regulatory commission to be known as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission which shall be composed of five members. Transfers to the Commission all the licensing and related regulatory functions of the Atomic Energy Commission, the functions of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel and the Atomic Safety and Licensing Appeal Board.

Establishes in the Commission an Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, the Director of which shall perform such functions as the Commission shall delegate, including: (1) principal licensing and regulation involving all facilities and materials associated with the construction and operation of nuclear reactors licensed under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954; (2) review the safety and safeguards of all such facilities, materials, and activities; and (3) recommend research necessary for the discharge of the functions of the Commission.

Establishes in the Commission an Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, the Director of which shall perform such functions as the Commission shall delegate, including: (1) principal licensing and regulation involving all facilities and materials licensed under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 associated with the processing, transport, and handling of nuclear materials; (2) review of safety and safeguards of all such facilities and materials licensed under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954; and (3) recommending research to enable the Commission to more effectively perform its functions.

Establishes in the Commission an Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, the Director of which shall perform such functions as the Commission shall delegate, including developing recommendations for, and engaging in or contracting for, research which the Commission deems necessary for the performance of its licensing and regulatory functions.

Authorizes and directs the Commission to conduct a national survey to locate and identify possible nuclear energy center sites.

Requires the Commission to submit to Congress each quarter a report listing for that period any abnormal occurrences at or associated with any facility which is licensed or otherwise regulated pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 or pursuant to this Act.

=Title III: Miscellaneous and Transitional Provisions= - Provides that, except as otherwise provided in this Act, whenever all of the functions or programs of an agency, or other body, or any component thereof, affected by this Act, have been transferred from that agency, or that body, or component, the agency, or other body, or component shall lapse.

Makes various technical and conforming amendments.

=Title IV: Sex Discrimination= - Provides that no person shall on the ground of sex be excluded from participation in, be denied a license under, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity carried on or receiving Federal assistance under any title of this Act.