INTRODUCTION:
RICHLAND OPERATIONS OFFICE
RECORDS PRODUCED BYOPERATIONS OFFICE ORGANIZATIONS
SELECTED HISTORICAL PHOTOGRAPHS

by Roger M. Anders
(Hiice of Human Radiation Eocperiments
Deputy Assisiant Secretary for Planning and Administration
Assistant heoretery for Earnuromnent, Safery and Health
Rdarch 1996

The Department of Energy and lis Heritage: The Departinent of Energy (DOB) is one of the
most diverse agencies in the Federal government. 1b was crested in 1877 from a score of
organizational entities from a dozen departments and agencies. DOE encourages the
development of energytechnologies in several arene--solar, geothermal, fossil fael, aad nuclear. it
develops technologies aimed at promoting conservation of energy resources, DOE is one of the
largest Federal agency supporters ofbasic scientific research and manages a research coenplex that
includes some ofthe nation's oremuer laboratories, DOE helps formulate national policies for
energy use and development. Perhaps ourprisingly to many, DOR aise runs the nuclear weapons
research, development, and production complex as well os associated dismantlement and clean up
activities,
CROE's nuclear heritage comes from the World War TL Manhattan Project which buult the atomic

bomb. Thethreads of DOE's invelvement with nuclear issues and programs run through the

following agencies: the Manhattan Engineer Thstrict (1942-1947), the Amomic Energy
Commission (1947-19753 emi the Enersy Research and Development Admumistranon (1975-

1977), DOE not only took over functions, cultures, and traditions from these agencies, it also

cee

inherited records from them. Cf these agencies, the longest Hvedand most controverual was the
Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) The AECaise created 4 grester vohane of records than any
other DHOE predecessor agency and, not surprisingly, DOE cull has custody of a substantial
voumne of AEC records.

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