The Plowshare Program, devoted to exploring the potential constructive uses of nuclear explosions, was formally established in 1957 by the Atomic Energy Commission. Many of the ideas, thoughts, and suggestions for such applications had been put forth from the time it appeared possible to release energy from the nucleus in a controlled manner, using either reactors or explosions. In fact, in 1939, immediately after the publication of the discovery of the fission of uranium early in that year, many speculations appeared in the press concerning possible industrial uses of nuclear energy. Congress, in writing the Atomic Energy Act, noted, in the declaration of that Act, that “atomic energy is capable of application for peaceful as well as military purposes”. In addition, the stated policy of the United States is that:

“a. the development, use, and control of atomic energy shall be directed so as to make the maximum contribution to the general welfare, subject at all times to the paramount objective of making the maximum contribution to the common defense and security; and

“b. the development, use, and control of atomic energy shall be directed so as to promote world peace, improve the general welfare, increase the standard of living, and strengthen free competition in private enterprise.”

Topics
Energy policy, Nuclear energy, Atomic energy, Nuclear explosions, Chemical elements
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1963
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