©2026 League of Conservation Voters
1974 Scorecard Vote
190
207
36
Issues
Energy Research and Development Appropriations for fiscal year 1974 (H.R. 14434). The vote is on the Roncalio amendment to delete $4.3 million from the AEC budget for research to develop methods of recovering natural resources by setting off underground nuclear explosions. The AEC has already spent 16 years and $150 million trying unsuccessfully to stimulate natural gas by nuclear explosions. Several private studies by the U.S. Geological Survey, Shell Oil and others had expressed serious doubts about the AEC’s resource recovery program. Environmentalists oppose the program because of disruption to wildlife, risks of earthquakes and radioactive contamination of underground water supplies and other resources lying above the explosion sites. The President opposed the amendment. April 30, 1974. Rejected 190-207. YES is the correct vote.
©2026 League of Conservation Voters