1970s Beyond Nuclear Energy to Support All Forms of Energy

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1970: New educational poster innovation launched, aimed at the elementary and junior high school level
1970: Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) used Scientific and Technical Information databases to demonstrate feasibility of accessing large databases worldwide by means of electronic communication
1970: Electronic access to citations via RECON retrieval system implemented
1972: Division of Technical Information Extension becomes Technical Information Center (TIC)
1973: Technical information program broadened to include not only nuclear energy, but all forms of energy sources such as fossil, geothermal, and renewable
1973: Interagency agreement with the National Technical Information Service signed to cover the sale of AEC reports
1974: President Gerald Ford signed the Energy Reorganization Act, thereby abolishing the AEC and establishing the Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA)
1974: Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-438) provided for developing, collecting, distributing, and making scientific and technical information available for distribution
1974: International Energy Agency (IEA) founded by U.S. and other member countries of the Organization of Economic Co-Operation and Development
1974: TIC became U.S. focal point for fulfilling cooperative information exchange mechanisms made under agreements with the IEA Coal Research Service and the IEA Biomass Information Service
1974: Energy Database initiated
1974: Magnetic tapes became routine medium for the transfer and exchange of technical information
1975: TIC fulfilled official and public requests for materials, and manages broad public education program covering the range of Agency’s energy research responsibilities
1975: TIC managed the ERDA centralized motion picture film library and loan service, serving schools, colleges, universities, industry, professional societies, and the general public
1975: Agency-wide technical information meetings initiated
1976: ERDA Research Abstracts developed to provide an announcement outlet for R&D results from all ERDA projects, non-nuclear as well as nuclear
1976: Nuclear Science Abstracts discontinued and replaced with Atomindex international announcement product, with TIC contributing U.S. input
1977: President Jimmy Carter established the Department of Energy
1977: Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-91) stated that the Energy Secretary shall establish and maintain a central source of information on all energy resources and technology for disseminating information resulting from R&D programs
1977: TIC responded to citizens’ information needs during “energy crisis” to support President Carter’s National Energy Plan
1979: Research in Progress system established on behalf of the Department and becomes contributing source to Federal RIP