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<br />2-31 <br /> <br /> <br />r r 0 <br /> <br />. , <br />, <br /> <br />2.5.4 Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 <br />This legislation abolished AEC which had been criticized for the <br />inherent conflicts of interest in its dual roles as both promoter and regu- <br />lator of nuclear energy applications. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission <br />(NRC) was established in its place to exercise licensing and regulatory <br />powers.90 Safety, public welfare, and other responsibilities transferred to <br />the Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA) were also <br />established under the Act. These duties have since been transferred <br />again to the Department of Energy under the DOE Act (subsection 2.2.7). <br /> <br />2.5.5 Uranium Mili Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978 <br />In 1978 Congress passed the first comprehensive legislation attempting <br />to eliminate the radiation hazards associated with uranium and thorium mill <br />tailings at mining sites. 91 This Act creates a system of management at <br />these sites by the Federal government in cooperation with states, Indian <br />tribes, and individuals owning or operating mining sites. <br />The act defines the respective roles of the NRC, DOE, EPA, and <br />other authorities in regulating the management system. State licensing <br />standards must be at ieast as stringent as the Federal standards. 92 Upon <br />termination of licenses, sites must be transferred to either the Federal <br />93 <br />government or the state. <br /> <br />2.6 ENERGY CONSERVATION <br />As early as 1971 in the President's Energy Message, conservation was <br />identified as a practical and efficient means of increasing the value of <br />dollars expended for energy facilities and fuel use. A broad assortment of <br />Federal actions have come to be identified as energy conservation measures. <br />Generally, any programs which attempt to reduce the growth rate of aggre- <br />gate energy demand whiie maintaining or enhancing economic activity can <br />be termed energy conservation. <br />The expanding authority of Federal agencies in energy matters over <br />the past decade includes a range of techniques for promoting conservation. <br />Such authorities include regulating prices of petroleum and natural gas, <br />