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Air Pollution Control Act
This was the first legislation in the United States pertaining to air pollution. It provided funds for the federal government to research air pollution. It was only an informational role allowing the government to be informed and inform others. It did not make any policies regarding pollution. -
Clean Air Act (CAA)
This policy was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson and addressed air pollution at a national level. It was the first legislation created to control air pollution. It required the EPA to develop and enforce environmental regulations to protect the public from hazardous air conditions. Major amendments to this law were passed in 1970, 1977, and 1990. -
Earth Day
This was a demonstration held across the nation that effectively raised awareness about environmental issues and public attitudes. It led to the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Now it is a global phenomenon that takes place annually. -
Oil Crisis
The Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) announced an oil embargo against Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US. The embargo significantly raised the price of oil exports to these countries. The embargo was a result of the United States involvement in the Yom Kippur War, where the US supplied Israel with nuclear weapons. The price of oil in the US quadrupled within a year. -
Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA)
The main goals of EPCA are: to reduce the demand for energy, to provide more efficient energy, and to increase the overall supply and production of energy. It is notable for establishing the following: the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products gave authority to the Department of Energy to enforce minimum energy conservation standards for US appliances. The Corporate Average Fuel Economy Program (CAFE) Program set fuel economy standards for automobiles starting with model year 1978. -
Alternative Motor Fuels Act
This was an amendment to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975. It created incentives for vehicle manufacturers to create automobiles that operated on fuel sources other than oil. -
Energy Policy Act
The goal of this act was to reduce US dependence on foreign oil and improve air quality. It encouraged the Department of Energy to use regulatory and voluntary apporaches for alternative fuel use. It also defines the criteria for a fuel type to be considered an "alternative fuel." -
Energy Policy Act
This policy encouraged the development of grant programs and tax incentives to promote the use of alternative fuels and vehicles. It also amended existing regulations for fuel economy standards. http://www.afdc.energy.gov/laws/key_legislation -
Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA)
The objective of this policy was to improve vehicle fuel economy and reduce the dependence on foreign petroleum. It called for an increase in supply of renewable alternative fuels by setting a mandatory Renewable Fuel Standard, which required US transportation fuel sold to consumers to contain a minimum of 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2022. It also amended the CAFE program to raise the fuel economy standard to 35mpg by 2020. This was projected to reduce GHG emissions by 9% by 2030.
