The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is an independent agency established by the U.S. Congress under the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 to ensure adequate protection of the public health and safety, the common defense and security, and the environment in the use of nuclear materials in the United States. The NRC's scope of responsibility includes regulation of-- *commercial nuclear power reactors; nonpower research, test, and training reactors *fuel cycle facilities; medical, academic, and industrial uses of nuclear materials *the transport, storage, and disposal of nuclear materials and waste.