United States Department of Energy

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government responsible for energy policy and nuclear safety. Its purview includes the nation's nuclear weapons program, nuclear reactor production for the United States Navy, energy conservation, energy-related research, radioactive waste disposal, and domestic energy production, many of which are funded through its system of national laboratories.

Related Topics:
Cabinet - United States - Government - Energy - Nuclear weapon - Nuclear reactor - United States Navy - Radioactive waste - National laboratories

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Many federal agencies have been established to handle various aspects of U.S. energy policy, dating back to the creation of the Manhattan Project and the subsequent Atomic Energy Commission. The impetus for putting them all under the auspices of a single department was the 1973 energy crisis, in response to which President Jimmy Carter proposed creation of the department. The enabling legislation was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Carter on August 4, 1977. The department began operations on October 1, 1977. The agency is administered by the United States Secretary of Energy.

Related Topics:
Manhattan Project - Atomic Energy Commission - 1973 energy crisis - Jimmy Carter - Congress - August 4 - 1977 - October 1 - United States Secretary of Energy

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