---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 9705"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "9705"
heading: "Federal Nuclear Operations Corps’ study"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/9705"
units:
  - "Chapter 104 — Nuclear Safety Research, Development, and Demonstration"
---

# §9705. Federal Nuclear Operations Corps’ study

- (a) **Cooperation and coordination requirements; purpose—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/9702.md?p=1), in cooperation with the Nuclear Regulatory [Commission](/usc/42/9702.md?p=3), shall initiate a study as to the sufficiency of efforts in the United States to provide specially trained professionals to operate the controls of nuclear powerplants and other facilities in the back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle. In carrying out the study, the [Secretary](/usc/42/9702.md?p=1) shall coordinate his activities with the ongoing programs of the utility industry and other Federal governmental [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) for obtaining high standards of operator performance.
- (b) **Assessments—**
  - (1) In conducting the study the [Secretary](/usc/42/9702.md?p=1) shall assess the desirability and feasibility of creating a Federal Corps of such professionals to inspect and supervise such operations.
  - (2) The assessment shall consider the establishment of an academy to train Corps professionals in all aspects of nuclear technology, nuclear operations, nuclear regulatory and related law, and health science.
  - (3) The assessment shall include the appropriate organizational approach for the establishment of a Federal Corps within the executive branch.
- (c) **Report to Congress—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/9702.md?p=1) shall complete the study within one year after December 22, 1980, and shall submit a report along with his recommendations to the Congress.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 96–567, § 6, Dec. 22, 1980, 94 Stat. 3332.)

## Notes

### Executive Documents

### Transfer of Functions

For transfer of certain functions from Nuclear Regulatory Commission to Chairman thereof, see Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1980, 45 F.R. 40561, 94 Stat. 3585, set out as a note under section 5841 of this title.