US Fossil Fuel Timeline

OPEC places an embargo on the US to protest their policy towards the Arab-Israeli conflict. Oil prices quadruple.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) was formed to regulate and protect public health and safety.

Federal involvement in wind energy development allows for advances in wind energy technology which are still used today.

President Carter delivers his famous speech regrading an imminent energy shortage and arguing that the country must make profound changes in the way it uses energy"

A nuclear accident on Three Mile Island cuased the faliure of one of the plants reactors. Although the accident was largely contorlled the risk of a massive nuclear accident was exposed.

The first large scale solar power and wind power operations were constructed in the United States.

Nuclear energy becomes the second largest source of electricity in the US, replacing hydro power.

The largest oil spill in US waters occurs when a vessel carrying oil of the coast of Alaska struck a reef and spilled its massive amounts of cargo.

Congress passes the Development of Hydrogen Power Act to accelerate efforts to develop hydrogen power research.

The US begins to import more petroleum than it produces.