Creating a safe and stable nuclear program
- Newman & Holtzinger, Washington, DC (United States)
The institutional framework surrounding the development of the peaceful atom in many countries is composed of laws and implementing regulations. In the United States, this commenced with President Eisenhower`s pledge in his 1953 address to the United National General Assembly that the United States would {open_quotes}devote its entire heart and mind to find the way by which the miraculous inventiveness of man shall not be dedicated to his death but consecrated to his life.{close_quotes} Following this statement by President Eisenhower, the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 was enacted. The 1954 Act declared it to be the policy of the United States that {open_quotes}the development, use, and control of atomic energy shall be directed so as to make the maximum contribution to the general welfare.{close_quotes} It directed the Atomic Energy Commission to conduct programs of research and development leading to the utilization of atomic energy for medical, biological, agricultural, health, industrial, or commercial purposes, including the generation of usable energy. From this beginning has come a never ending stream of innovations which has already contributed in a monumental way to human betterment. In the process, public and employee health and safety have been protected. Any objective evaluation must conclude that great benefits to the public have been achieved and the risk extraordinarily well managed. This legal and regulatory framework has worked well to benefit the public interest. The concept of laws and regulations defining the uses of peaceful nuclear energy applications has protected the public and operated for the benefit of mankind in many countries. Common principles exist, but diversity is also important.
- OSTI ID:
- 107222
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-920957--
- Journal Information:
- Transactions of the American Nuclear Society, Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society Journal Issue: Suppl.1 Vol. 67; ISSN 0003-018X; ISSN TANSAO
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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