Environmental Policies (1968-1980)

Oil as a Primary Resource: From 1968 to 1980, oil was the dominant natural resource, especially for the U.S.
Middle Eastern Oil: A significant portion of the world's oil reserves were located in Middle Eastern countries.
Strained U.S. Relations: The U.S. had a complicated and often strained relationship with many of these oil-producing Middle Eastern nations.
Creation of Israel (1948): The establishment of Israel in 1948 heightened tensions, as Arab nations opposed it, while the U.S. maintained a strong alliance with Israel.
OPEC Formation: Oil-producing Arab nations formed the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to control oil prices and exports.
1973 Oil Crisis: In 1973, OPEC reduced oil exports to the U.S. and increased prices, leading to fuel shortages and price hikes in the U.S.
U.S. Energy Dependence: American policymakers realized the U.S. was overly dependent on unstable foreign sources for its energy needs.

Nuclear Energy: Nuclear energy was considered as an alternative energy source for the U.S.
Advantages: Uranium was plentiful and inexpensive; nuclear energy production did not produce greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide ( $CO_2$ ).
Three Mile Island Accident (1979): A partial meltdown occurred at the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor in Pennsylvania.
Radioactive Waste Release: Tons of radioactive waste were released into the environment.
Public Fear: The Three Mile Island incident, along with the Chernobyl disaster in the Soviet Union, increased public fear regarding nuclear energy safety.
Impact on Policy: The accident hindered the establishment of a strong national policy supporting nuclear energy.
Momentum for Environmental Movement: The incident provided additional momentum to the environmental movement.

Silent Spring (1962): Rachel Carson's book raised awareness about the harmful effects of pesticides, specifically DDT, on the environment.
First Earth Day (1970): The inaugural Earth Day significantly boosted the environmental movement.
Focus on Nuclear Energy: Environmental activists concentrated on the perils of nuclear energy following the Three Mile Island accident.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (1970): President Richard Nixon established the EPA to manage pollution control programs and oversee the regulation of polluting industries.
Popular Support: Despite criticism, the EPA was generally a popular initiative.
Cuyahoga River Fire (1969): The Cuyahoga River in Ohio caught fire due to heavy pollution from upstream factories. It caught fire approximately 14 times.
Public Demand for Protection: Public outcry and concerns regarding environmental degradation led to demands for environmental protection.
Clean Air Act (1963): This law aimed to control air pollution nationwide, with the EPA later taking over its regulatory functions.