The Department of Energy Organization Act was enacted in 1977 to establish the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as a cabinet-level agency. This act aimed to consolidate various energy-related functions and responsibilities previously scattered across different federal agencies, enhancing the government's ability to manage energy resources and promote energy efficiency. The act also created the Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA) and transferred the Atomic Energy Commission's responsibilities to the DOE. This reorganization was intended to improve coordination in energy policy, research, and development, ensuring a more comprehensive approach to the nation's energy challenges.