US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

42 U.S.C. § 2014

Definitions

The intent of Congress in the definitions as given in this section should be construed from the words or phrases used in the definitions. As used in this chapter:
(a)
The term “agency of the United States” means the executive branch of the United States, or any Government agency, or the legislative branch of the United States, or any agency, committee, commission, office, or other establishment in the legislative branch, or the judicial branch of the United States, or any office, agency, committee, commission, or other establishment in the judicial branch.
(b)
section 2153 of this title The term “agreement for cooperation” means any agreement with another nation or regional defense organization authorized or permitted by sections 2074, 2077, 2094, 2112, 2121(c), 2133, 2134, or 2164 of this title, and made pursuant to .
(c)
The term “atomic energy” means all forms of energy released in the course of nuclear fission or nuclear transformation.
(d)
The term “atomic weapon” means any device utilizing atomic energy, exclusive of the means for transporting or propelling the device (where such means is a separable and divisible part of the device), the principal purpose of which is for use as, or for development of, a weapon, a weapon prototype, or a weapon test device.
(e)
The term “byproduct material” means—
(1)
any radioactive material (except special nuclear material) yielded in or made radioactive by exposure to the radiation incident to the process of producing or utilizing special nuclear material;
(2)
the tailings or wastes produced by the extraction or concentration of uranium or thorium from any ore processed primarily for its source material content;
(3)
(A)
any discrete source of radium-226 that is produced, extracted, or converted after extraction, before, on, or after , for use for a commercial, medical, or research activity; or
(B)
any material that—
(i)
has been made radioactive by use of a particle accelerator, including by use of a fusion machine; and
(ii)
if made radioactive by use of a particle accelerator that is not a fusion machine, is produced, extracted, or converted after extraction, before, on, or after , for use for a commercial, medical, or research activity; and
(4)
any discrete source of naturally occurring radioactive material, other than source material, that—
(A)
the Commission, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the head of any other appropriate Federal agency, determines would pose a threat similar to the threat posed by a discrete source of radium-226 to the public health and safety or the common defense and security; and
(B)
before, on, or after , is extracted or converted after extraction for use in a commercial, medical, or research activity.
(f)
The term “Commission” means the Atomic Energy Commission.
(g)
The term “common defense and security” means the common defense and security of the United States.
(h)
The term “defense information” means any information in any category determined by any Government agency authorized to classify information, as being information respecting, relating to, or affecting the national defense.
(i)
The term “design” means (1) specifications, plans, drawings, blueprints, and other items of like nature; (2) the information contained therein; or (3) the research and development data pertinent to the information contained therein.
(j)
section 2210 of this title The term “extraordinary nuclear occurrence” means any event causing a discharge or dispersal of source, special nuclear, or byproduct material from its intended place of confinement in amounts offsite, or causing radiation levels offsite, which the Nuclear Regulatory Commission or the Secretary of Energy, as appropriate, determines to be substantial, and which the Nuclear Regulatory Commission or the Secretary of Energy, as appropriate, determines has resulted or will probably result in substantial damages to persons offsite or property offsite. Any determination by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission or the Secretary of Energy, as appropriate, that such an event has, or has not, occurred shall be final and conclusive, and no other official or any court shall have power or jurisdiction to review any such determination. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission or the Secretary of Energy, as appropriate, shall establish criteria in writing setting forth the basis upon which such determination shall be made. As used in this subsection, “offsite” means away from “the location” or “the contract location” as defined in the applicable Nuclear Regulatory Commission or the Secretary of Energy, as appropriate, indemnity agreement, entered into pursuant to .
(k)
The term “financial protection” means the ability to respond in damages for public liability and to meet the costs of investigating and defending claims and settling suits for such damages.
(l)
The term “Government agency” means any executive department, commission, independent establishment, corporation, wholly or partly owned by the United States of America which is an instrumentality of the United States, or any board, bureau, division, service, office, officer, authority, administration, or other establishment in the executive branch of the Government.
(m)
section 2210 of this title The term “indemnitor” means (1) any insurer with respect to his obligations under a policy of insurance furnished as proof of financial protection; (2) any licensee, contractor or other person who is obligated under any other form of financial protection, with respect to such obligations; and (3) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission or the Secretary of Energy, as appropriate, with respect to any obligation undertaken by it in indemnity agreement entered into pursuant to .
(n)
The term “international arrangement” means any international agreement hereafter approved by the Congress or any treaty during the time such agreement or treaty is in full force and effect, but does not include any agreement for cooperation.
(o)
The term “Energy Committees” means the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.
(p)
section 2210(a) of this title The term “licensed activity” means an activity licensed pursuant to this chapter and covered by the provisions of .
(q)
Provided, howeverlAnd provided furthersection 2210(d) of this titleAnd provided furthersection 2210(c) of this title The term “nuclear incident” means any occurrence, including an extraordinary nuclear occurrence, within the United States causing, within or outside the United States, bodily injury, sickness, disease, or death, or loss of or damage to property, or loss of use of property, arising out of or resulting from the radioactive, toxic, explosive, or other hazardous properties of source, special nuclear, or byproduct material: , That as the term is used in section 2210() of this title, it shall include any such occurrence outside the United States: , That as the term is used in , it shall include any such occurrence outside the United States: , That as the term is used in , it shall include any such occurrence outside both the United States and any other nation if such occurrence arises out of or results from the radioactive, toxic, explosive, or other hazardous properties of source, special nuclear, or byproduct material licensed pursuant to subchapters V, VI, VII, and IX of this division, which is used in connection with the operation of a licensed stationary production or utilization facility or which moves outside the territorial limits of the United States in transit from one person licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to another person licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
(r)
The term “operator” means any individual who manipulates the controls of a utilization or production facility.
(s)
The term “person” means (1) any individual, corporation, partnership, firm, association, trust, estate, public or private institution, group, Government agency other than the Commission, any State or any political subdivision of, or any political entity within a State, any foreign government or nation or any political subdivision of any such government or nation, or other entity; and (2) any legal successor, representative, agent, or agency of the foregoing.
(t)
section 2210(c) of this titlesection 2210(d) of this title The term “person indemnified” means (1) with respect to a nuclear incident occurring within the United States or outside the United States as the term is used in , and with respect to any nuclear incident in connection with the design, development, construction, operation, repair, maintenance, or use of the nuclear ship Savannah, the person with whom an indemnity agreement is executed or who is required to maintain financial protection, and any other person who may be liable for public liability or (2) with respect to any other nuclear incident occurring outside the United States, the person with whom an indemnity agreement is executed and any other person who may be liable for public liability by reason of his activities under any contract with the Secretary of Energy or any project to which indemnification under the provisions of has been extended or under any subcontract, purchase order, or other agreement, of any tier, under any such contract or project.
(u)
The term “produce”, when used in relation to special nuclear material, means (1) to manufacture, make, produce, or refine special nuclear material; (2) to separate special nuclear material from other substances in which such material may be contained; or (3) to make or to produce new special nuclear material.
(v)
The term “production facility” means (1) any equipment or device determined by rule of the Commission to be capable of the production of special nuclear material in such quantity as to be of significance to the common defense and security, or in such manner as to affect the health and safety of the public; or (2) any important component part especially designed for such equipment or device as determined by the Commission. Except with respect to the export of a uranium enrichment production facility, such term as used in subchapters IX and XV shall not include any equipment or device (or important component part especially designed for such equipment or device) capable of separating the isotopes of uranium or enriching uranium in the isotope 235.
(w)
section 2210 of this titleProvided The term “public liability” means any legal liability arising out of or resulting from a nuclear incident or precautionary evacuation (including all reasonable additional costs incurred by a State, or a political subdivision of a State, in the course of responding to a nuclear incident or a precautionary evacuation), except: (i) claims under State or Federal workmen’s compensation acts of employees of persons indemnified who are employed at the site of and in connection with the activity where the nuclear incident occurs; (ii) claims arising out of an act of war; and (iii) whenever used in subsections (a), (c), and (k) of , claims for loss of, or damage to, or loss of use of property which is located at the site of and used in connection with the licensed activity where the nuclear incident occurs. “Public liability” also includes damage to property of persons indemnified: , That such property is covered under the terms of the financial protection required, except property which is located at the site of and used in connection with the activity where the nuclear incident occurs.
(x)
The term “research and development” means (1) theoretical analysis, exploration, or experimentation; or (2) the extension of investigative findings and theories of a scientific or technical nature into practical application for experimental and demonstration purposes, including the experimental production and testing of models, devices, equipment, materials, and processes.
(y)
section 2162 of this title The term “Restricted Data” means all data concerning (1) design, manufacture, or utilization of atomic weapons; (2) the production of special nuclear material; or (3) the use of special nuclear material in the production of energy, but shall not include data declassified or removed from the Restricted Data category pursuant to .
(z)
section 2091 of this title The term “source material” means (1) uranium, thorium, or any other material which is determined by the Commission pursuant to the provisions of to be source material; or (2) ores containing one or more of the foregoing materials, in such concentration as the Commission may by regulation determine from time to time.
(aa)
section 2071 of this title The term “special nuclear material” means (1) plutonium, uranium enriched in the isotope 233 or in the isotope 235, and any other material which the Commission, pursuant to the provisions of , determines to be special nuclear material, but does not include source material; or (2) any material artificially enriched by any of the foregoing, but does not include source material.
(bb)
The term “United States” when used in a geographical sense includes all territories and possessions of the United States, the Canal Zone and Puerto Rico.
(cc)
The term “utilization facility” means (1) any equipment or device, except an atomic weapon, determined by rule of the Commission to be capable of making use of special nuclear material in such quantity as to be of significance to the common defense and security, or in such manner as to affect the health and safety of the public, or peculiarly adapted for making use of atomic energy in such quantity as to be of significance to the common defense and security, or in such manner as to affect the health and safety of the public; or (2) any important component part especially designed for such equipment or device as determined by the Commission.
(dd)

Fusion Machine .—

The term “fusion machine” means a machine that is capable of—
(1)
transforming atomic nuclei, through fusion processes, into different elements, isotopes, or other particles; and
(2)
directly capturing and using the resultant products, including particles, heat, or other electromagnetic radiation.
(ee)

High-level Radioactive Waste; Spent Nuclear Fuel .—

section 10101 of this titleThe terms “high-level radioactive waste” and “spent nuclear fuel” have the meanings given such terms in .
(ff)

Legal Costs .—

section 2210 of this titleAs used in , the term “legal costs” means the costs incurred by a plaintiff or a defendant in initiating, prosecuting, investigating, settling, or defending claims or suits for damage arising under such section.
(gg)

Nuclear Waste Activities .—

section 2210 of this titlesection 213 of Public Law 96–16493 Stat. 1265The term “nuclear waste activities”, as used in , means activities subject to an agreement of indemnification under subsection (d) of such section, that the Secretary of Energy is authorized to undertake, under this chapter or any other law, involving the storage, handling, transportation, treatment, or disposal of, or research and development on, spent nuclear fuel, high-level radioactive waste, or transuranic waste, including (but not limited to) activities authorized to be carried out under the Waste Isolation Pilot Project under ().
(hh)

Precautionary Evacuation .—

The term “precautionary evacuation” means an evacuation of the public within a specified area near a nuclear facility, or the transportation route in the case of an accident involving transportation of source material, special nuclear material, byproduct material, high-level radioactive waste, spent nuclear fuel, or transuranic waste to or from a production or utilization facility, if the evacuation is—
(1)
the result of any event that is not classified as a nuclear incident but that poses imminent danger of bodily injury or property damage from the radiological properties of source material, special nuclear material, byproduct material, high-level radioactive waste, spent nuclear fuel, or transuranic waste, and causes an evacuation; and
(2)
initiated by an official of a State or a political subdivision of a State, who is authorized by State law to initiate such an evacuation and who reasonably determined that such an evacuation was necessary to protect the public health and safety.
(ii)

Public Liability Action .—

section 2210 of this titlesection 2210 of this titleThe term “public liability action”, as used in , means any suit asserting public liability. A public liability action shall be deemed to be an action arising under , and the substantive rules for decision in such action shall be derived from the law of the State in which the nuclear incident involved occurs, unless such law is inconsistent with the provisions of such section.
(jj)

Transuranic Waste .—

The term “transuranic waste” means material contaminated with elements that have an atomic number greater than 92, including neptunium, plutonium, americium, and curium, and that are in concentrations greater than 10 nanocuries per gram, or in such other concentrations as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission may prescribe to protect the public health and safety.

Aug. 1, 1946, ch. 724Aug. 30, 1954, ch. 1073, § 168 Stat. 922Aug. 6, 1956, ch. 1015, § 170 Stat. 1069Pub. L. 85–256, § 371 Stat. 576Pub. L. 85–602, § 172 Stat. 525Pub. L. 87–20675 Stat. 476Pub. L. 87–61576 Stat. 410Pub. L. 89–645, § 1(a)80 Stat. 891Pub. L. 94–197, § 189 Stat. 1111Pub. L. 95–604, title II, § 20192 Stat. 3033Pub. L. 100–408102 Stat. 1069Pub. L. 101–575, § 5(a)104 Stat. 2835Pub. L. 102–486, title IX, § 902(a)(8)106 Stat. 2944Pub. L. 103–437, § 15(f)(1)108 Stat. 4592Pub. L. 104–134, title III, § 3116(b)(1)110 Stat. 1321–349Pub. L. 109–58, title VI, § 651(e)(1)119 Stat. 806Pub. L. 118–47, div. G, title I, § 107(d)138 Stat. 857Pub. L. 118–67, div. B, title II, § 205(a)138 Stat. 1460(, title I, § 11, as added , ; amended , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 2, 3, , ; , §§ 4, 5, , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 4(b)–5(b), 11(b), (d)(2), 16(a)(1), (b)(1), (2), (d)(1)–(3), , , 1070, 1076, 1078–1080; , , ; renumbered title I and amended , title XI, § 1102, , , 2955; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

act Aug. 1, 1946, ch. 724act Aug. 30, 1954, ch. 1073, § 168 Stat. 919section 2011 of this titleThis chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning , as added by , , known as the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.

section 3602(b) of Title 22For definition of Canal Zone, referred to in subsec. (bb), see , Foreign Relations and Intercourse.

Section 213 of Public Law 96–164Pub. L. 96–164, title II, § 21393 Stat. 1265, referred to in subsec. (gg), is , , , which is not classified to the Code.

Prior Provisions

act Aug. 1, 1946, ch. 72460 Stat. 768section 1811 of this titleA prior section 11 of , , which related to patents and inventions, was classified to , prior to the general amendment of act , by act .

act Aug. 1, 1946, ch. 72460 Stat. 770–775act Aug. 1, 1946, ch. 72460 Stat. 775section 1801 of this titleSections 12 to 19 of , , which related to authority, powers and duties of Atomic Energy Commission; compensation for acquisition of private property; judicial review; Joint Committee of Congress on Atomic Energy; penalties for violation of certain provisions of chapter 14 of this title, injunctions, subpoena of witnesses, and production of documents; reports and recommendations to Congress; definitions; and authorization of appropriations, were classified to sections 1812 to 1819, respectively, of this title, and section 20 of , , which related to separability of provisions of the act, was set out as a note under , prior to the general amendment of act , by act . Section numbers 12 to 20 were not repeated in the general amendment of act .

Amendments

Pub. L. 118–67, § 205(a)(1)(A)(i)2024—Subsec. (e)(3)(B)(i). , inserted “, including by use of a fusion machine” after “particle accelerator”.

Pub. L. 118–67, § 205(a)(1)(A)(ii)Subsec. (e)(3)(B)(ii). , inserted “if made radioactive by use of a particle accelerator that is not a fusion machine,” before “is produced”.

Pub. L. 118–47Subsec. (q). , in second proviso, substituted “occurrence outside the United States:” for “occurrence outside the United States if such occurrence involves source, special nuclear, or byproduct material owned by, and used by or under contract with, the United States:”.

Pub. L. 118–67, § 205(a)(5)Subsec. (dd). , added subsec. (dd). Former subsec. (dd) redesignated (ee).

Pub. L. 118–67, § 205(a)(4)Subsec. (ee). , redesignated subsec. (dd) as (ee) and inserted heading. Former subsec. (ee) redesignated (jj).

Pub. L. 118–67, § 205(a)(2), inserted heading.

Pub. L. 118–67, § 205(a)(2)Subsecs. (ff) to (jj). , (3), inserted headings for subsecs. (ff) to (hh), redesignated subsecs. (ee) to (hh) and (jj) as (jj), (gg), (hh), (ii), and (ff), respectively, and transferred the subsecs. to appear in alphabetical order.

Pub. L. 109–582005—Subsec. (e). substituted “means—” for “means”, realigned margins of pars. (1) and (2), and added pars. (3) and (4).

Pub. L. 104–1341996—Subsec. (v). , which directed the amendment of subsec. (v) by striking out “or the construction and operation of a uranium enrichment facility using Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation technology”, was executed by striking out “or the construction and operation of a uranium enrichment production facility using Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation technology” before “, such term as used”, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

oPub. L. 103–4371994—Subsec. (). substituted “ ‘Energy Committees’ means the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives” for “ ‘Joint Committee’ means the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy”.

Pub. L. 102–4861992—Subsec. (v). amended last sentence generally. Prior to amendment, last sentence read as follows: “Except with respect to the export of a uranium enrichment production facility, such term as used in subchapters IX and XV shall not include any equipment or device (or important component part especially designed for such equipment or device) capable of separating the isotopes of uranium or enriching uranium in the isotope 235.”

Pub. L. 101–5751990—Subsec. (v). inserted at end “Except with respect to the export of a uranium enrichment production facility, such term as used in subchapters IX and XV shall not include any equipment or device (or important component part especially designed for such equipment or device) capable of separating the isotopes of uranium or enriching uranium in the isotope 235.”

Pub. L. 100–408, § 16(b)(1)1988—Subsecs. (j), (m). , substituted “Nuclear Regulatory Commission or the Secretary of Energy, as appropriate,” for “Commission” wherever appearing.

Pub. L. 100–408, § 16(d)(1)Subsec. (q). , substituted “section” for “subsection” in three places, which for purposes of codification was translated as “section”, thus requiring no change in text.

Pub. L. 100–408, § 16(a)(1), substituted “Nuclear Regulatory Commission” for “Commission” wherever appearing.

Pub. L. 100–408, § 16(d)(2)Subsec. (t). , substituted “section” for “subsection” in two places, which for purposes of codification was translated as “section”, thus requiring no change in text.

Pub. L. 100–408, § 16(b)(2), substituted “Secretary of Energy” for “Commission” in cl. (2).

Pub. L. 100–408, § 16(d)(3)section 2210 of this titleSubsec. (w). , substituted “subsections (a), (c), and (k) of ” for “section 2210(a), (c), and (k) of this title”.

Pub. L. 100–408, § 5(a), inserted “or precautionary evacuation (including all reasonable additional costs incurred by a State, or a political subdivision of a State, in the course of responding to a nuclear incident or a precautionary evacuation)” after first reference to “nuclear incident”.

Pub. L. 100–408, § 4(b)Subsecs. (dd) to (ff). , added subsecs. (dd) to (ff).

Pub. L. 100–408, § 5(b)Subsec. (gg). , added subsec. (gg).

Pub. L. 100–408, § 11(b)Subsec. (hh). , added subsec. (hh).

Pub. L. 100–408, § 11(d)(2)Subsec. (jj). , added subsec. (jj).

Pub. L. 95–6041978—Subsec. (e). designated existing provisions as cl. (1) and added cl. (2).

Pub. L. 94–197section 2210(c) of this title1975—Subsec. (q). substituted “source, special nuclear, or byproduct material” for “facility or device” and inserted proviso to include within term as used in any occurrence outside both the United States and any other nation.

Pub. L. 94–197section 2210(c) of this titleSubsec. (t). expanded definition to include nuclear incidents occurring outside the United States as the term is used in and inserted reference to person required to maintain financial protection.

Pub. L. 89–645, § 1(a)(2)1966—Subsec. (j). , added subsec. (j). Former subsec. (j) redesignated (k).

lPub. L. 89–645, § 1(a)(1)llSubsecs. (k), (). , redesignated former subsecs. (j) and (k) as (k) and (), respectively. Former subsec. () redesignated (n).

Pub. L. 89–645, § 1(a)(3)oSubsec. (m). , added subsec. (m). Former subsec. (m) redesignated ().

Pub. L. 89–645, § 1(a)(1)lSubsecs. (n) to (p). , redesignated former subsecs. () to (n) as (n) to (p), respectively. Former subsecs. (n) to (p) redesignated (p) to (r), respectively.

Pub. L. 89–645, § 1(a)(1)oSubsec. (q). , (4), redesignated former subsec. () as (q) and inserted “, including an extraordinary nuclear occurrence,” between “occurrence” and “within”, respectively. Former subsec. (q) redesignated (s).

Pub. L. 89–645, § 1(a)(1)Subsecs. (r) to (cc). , redesignated former subsecs. (p) to (aa) as (r) to (cc), respectively.

oPub. L. 87–615, § 4lsection 2210(d) of this title1962—Subsec. (). , enlarged definition of “nuclear incident” to include any occurrence within the United States causing any of the listed injuries and damages within or outside the United States, provided that as used in section 2210() of this title, term shall “include” instead of “mean” any such occurrence outside the United States, and that as used in , the term shall include any such occurrence outside the United States if such occurrence involves a facility or devise owned by, and used by or under contract with, the United States.

Pub. L. 87–615, § 5Subsec. (r). , limited definition of “person indemnified” to nuclear incidents occurring within the United States, or in connection with the nuclear ship Savannah, and inserted provisions with respect to nuclear incidents occurring outside the United States.

Pub. L. 87–206, § 2section 2121(c) of this title1961—Subsec. (b). , included in enumeration.

Pub. L. 87–206, § 3Subsec. (u). , designated existing provisions as cls. (i) and (ii) and added cl. (iii).

oPub. L. 85–602l1958—Subsec. (). inserted proviso defining “nuclear incident” as it is used in section 2210() of this title.

Pub. L. 85–2561957—Subsec. (j). added subsec. (j). Former subsec. (j) redesignated (k).

Pub. L. 85–256lSubsecs. (k) to (m). , redesignated former subsecs. (j) to () as (k) to (m), respectively. Former subsec. (m) redesignated (p).

Pub. L. 85–256Subsec. (n). added subsec. (n). Former subsec. (n) redesignated (q).

oPub. L. 85–256ooSubsec. (). added subsec. (). Former subsec. () redesignated (s).

Pub. L. 85–256Subsecs. (p), (q). redesignated former subsecs. (m) and (n) as (p) and (q), respectively. Former subsecs. (p) and (q) redesignated (t) and (u), respectively.

Pub. L. 85–256Subsec. (r). added subsec. (r). Former subsec. (r) redesignated (w).

Pub. L. 85–256oSubsecs. (s), (t). redesignated former subsecs. () and (p) as (s) and (t), respectively. Former subsecs. (s) and (t) redesignated (x) and (y), respectively.

Pub. L. 85–256Subsec. (u). added subsec. (u). Former subsec. (u) redesignated (z).

Pub. L. 85–256Subsecs. (v) to (aa). redesignated former subsecs. (q) to (v) as (v) to (aa), respectively.

1956—Subsec. (u). Act , substituted “the Canal Zone and Puerto Rico” for “and the Canal Zone”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

section 1(a) of Pub. L. 104–14section 21 of Title 2Committee on Energy and Commerce of House of Representatives treated as referring to Committee on Commerce of House of Representatives by , set out as a note preceding , The Congress. Committee on Commerce of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Energy and Commerce of House of Representatives, and jurisdiction over matters relating to securities and exchanges and insurance generally transferred to Committee on Financial Services of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Seventh Congress, .

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–408, § 20102 Stat. 1084

“(a)
section 2282a of this title Except as provided in subsection (b), the amendments made by this Act [enacting and amending this section and sections 2210 and 2273 of this title] shall become effective on the date of the enactment of this Act [] and shall be applicable with respect to nuclear incidents occurring on or after such date.
“(b)
(1)
section 2210 of this title The amendments made by section 11 [amending this section and ] shall apply to nuclear incidents occurring before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
“(2)
(A)
section 2282a of this title Section 234A of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 [] shall not apply to any violation occurring before the date of the enactment of this Act.
“(B)
section 2273(c) of this title Section 223 c. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 [] shall not apply to any violation occurring before the date of enactment of this Act.”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–604, title II, § 20892 Stat. 3041

section 202(b) of Pub. L. 95–604section 2113 of this title“Except as otherwise provided in this title [see , set out as an Effective Date note under ] the amendments made by this title [enacting sections 2022 and 2114 of this title, amending this section and sections 2021, 2111, and 2201 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 2021 and 2113 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [].”
, , , provided that:

Transfer of Functions

Atomic Energy Commission abolished and functions transferred by sections 5814 and 5841 of this title. See also Transfer of Functions notes set out under those sections.