OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT

Return to Timeline of Events: 1951 to 1970 Continue to Timeline of Events: 1981 to 1990 July 4, 1971 President Nixon announces as a national goal a comm itment to complete a Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor demonstration plant by 1980. In wha t he refers to as the first comprehensive energy message to Congress by a United States presi dent, Nixon calls the breeder reactor the best hope for meeting the growing demand for ec onomical clean energy. August 7, 1972 The Atomic Energy Commission announces a cooperativ e agreement with industry to build a Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor on the Clinch Riv er in Tennessee. Aviation Management Green Leases Executive Secretariat Energy Reduction at HQ Real Estate Approvals Documents and Publications Facilities and Infrastructure Federal Advisory Committee Management Freedom of Information Act Financial Assistance Information Systems Procurement and Acquisition Project Management Certifications and Professional Development History Secretaries of Energy A Brief History of Home » Operational Management» History» DOE History Timeline » Timeline of Events: 1971 to 1980 

# TIMELINE OF EVENTS: 1971 TO 1980

August 4, 1977: Energy Organization Act President Carter signs the Department of Energy Organiza tion Act. The Federal Energy Administration and Energy Research and De velopment Administration are abolished. READ MORE 

### Page 1 of 6 Timeline of Events: 1971 to 1980 | Department of Energy

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...June 1973 President Nixon directs Dixy Lee Ray, Chairman of t he Atomic Energy Commission, to review federal and private energy research and developmentactivities and recommend an integrated national program. June 29, 1973 President Nixon establishes the Energy Policy Offic e. The office is responsible for formulating and coordinating energy policies at the presidentia l level. October 6, 1973 The Yom Kippur War breaks out in the Middle East. O ctober 17, 1973, the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries declares an oil embargo, sparking the first "energy crisis." November 7, 1973 President Nixon launches Project Independence, with the goal of achieving energy selfsufficiency by 1980. Recalling the Manhattan Projec t, Nixon declares that American science, technology, and industry can free the United States from dependence on foreign oil. December 4, 1973 The Federal Energy Office replaces the Energy Policy Office. The new office is assigned the task of allocating reduced petroleum supplies to re finers and consumers and of controlling the price of oil and gasoline. William Simon is named A dministrator. May 7, 1974 President Nixon signs the Federal Administration Ac t of 1974. The Federal Energy Administration replaces the Federal Energy Office. August 9, 1974 Gerald R. Ford becomes President. October 11, 1974 President Ford signs the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, abolishing the Atomic Energy Commission and establishing the Energy Research and Development Administration and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. November 25, 1974 President Ford appoints Frank Zarb as Administrator , Federal Energy Administration. January 19, 1975 The Energy Research and Development Administration is activated. The new agency is given responsibility for the Atomic Energy Commission's n uclear weapons program. President Ford appoints Robert C. Seamans, Jr., as Administrator. the Energy Department Historical Resources DOE History Timeline Manhattan Project Manhattan Project National Historical Park 

### Page 2 of 6 Timeline of Events: 1971 to 1980 | Department of Energy

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...March 27, 1975 The first pipe is laid on the Alaska Pipeline, whic h will move crude oil 800 miles through a 48- inch pipe from the North Slope of Alaska to the ice -free port of Valdez, Alaska. Construction is completed in two years. December 22, 1975 President Ford signs the Energy Policy and Conserva tion Act, extending oil price controls into 1979, mandating automobile fuel economy standards, and authorizing creation of a strategic petroleum reserve. January 20, 1977 Jimmy Carter is inaugurated President. February 2, 1977 President Carter signs the Emergency Natural Gas Ac t of 1977. February 7, 1977 John F. O'Leary is named Administrator, Federal Ene rgy Administration. March 24, 1977 The Energy Research and Development Administration announces the establishment of the Solar Energy Research Institute, a Federal facilitydedicated to finding and improving ways to harness and use energy from the sun, at Golden, Col orado. April 18, 1977 President Carter announces National Energy Plan in his first major energy speech. His plan calls for the establishment of an energy department
. August 4, 1977 President Carter signs the Department of Energy Org anization Act. The Federal Energy Administration and Energy Research and Development Administration are abolished. August 5, 1977 James R. Schlesinger is sworn in as first Secretaryof Energy. October 1, 1977 The Department of Energy (DOE) is activated. Bringi ng together a score of organizational entities from a dozen departments and agencies, the new department is also given responsibility for the nuclear weapons program. October 5-6, 1977 Secretary Schlesinger signs nine international energy agreements at a meeting of the International Energy Agency in Paris 

### Page 3 of 6 Timeline of Events: 1971 to 1980 | Department of Energy

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...October 18, 1977 DOE proposes to accept and take title to spent nucl ear reactor fuel from utilities on payment of one-time storage fee. In order to implement the policy, DOE will need both interim and permanent spent fuel storage capability December 21, 1977 DOE establishes Western Area Power Administration w ith headquarters in Denver, Colorado November 9, 1978 President Carter signs the National Energy Act, whi ch includes the National Energy Conservation Policy Act, the Power Plant and Indust rial Fuel Use Act, the Public Utilities Regulatory Policy Act, the Energy Tax Act, and the Natural Gas Policy Act. January 16, 1979 The Shah flees Iran. Cessation of oil exports resul ts in worldwide shortage of oil. Oilconsuming nations are using two million barrels of oil a day more than are being produced. March 28, 1979 A partial meltdown of the core occurs at one of the two reactors at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. April 5, 1979 President Carter, responding to growing energy shortages, announces gradual decontrol of oil prices and proposes windfall profits tax. June 20, 1979 President Carter announces program to increase Nati on's use of solar energy, including solar development bank and increased funds for solar energy research and development. July 10, 1979 President Carter proclaims a national energy supplyshortage and establishes temperature restrictions in nonresidential buildings. July 15, 1979 President Carter declares energy to be the immediat e test of ability to unite the Nation and proposes $88 billion decade-long effort to enhance production of synthetic fuels from coal and shale oil reserves. August 24, 1979 Charles W. Duncan, Jr., is sworn in as second Secre tary of Energy. June 30, 1980 President Carter signs the Energy Security Act, con sisting of six major acts: U.S. Synthetic 

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### TIMELINE OF EVENTS Timeline of Events: 1938-1950 Timeline of Events: 1951 to 1970 Timeline of Events: 1971 to 1980 Timeline of Events: 1981 to 1990 Timeline of Events: 1991 to 2000 Timeline of Events: 2001 Timeline of Events: 2002 Timeline of Events: 2003 Timeline of Events: 2004 Timeline of Events: 2005 Timeline of Events: 2006 Timeline of Events: 2007 Timeline of Events: 2008 Timeline of Events: 2009 Timeline of Events: 2010 Timeline of Events: 2011 Timeline of Events: 2012 Fuels Corporation Act, Biomass Energy and Alcohol F uels Act, Renewable Energy Resources Act, Solar Energy and Energy Conservation Act and S olar Energy and Energy Conservation Bank Act, Geothermal Energy Act, and Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Act. Return to Timeline of Events: 1951 to 1970 Continue to Timeline of Events: 1981 to 1990 

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