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Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein initiates further research on nuclear chain reactions. -
Eisenhower
President Eisenhower signs the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, opening the way for development of a civilian nuclear power program. -
Nonproliferation
The United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and forty-five other nations sign the Treaty for the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons. -
Jimmy Carter
President Carter signs the Emergency Natural Gas Act of 1977. -
Energy Department
President Carter announces National Energy Plan in his first major energy speech. His plan calls for the establishment of an energy department. -
Jimmy Carter
President Carter proclaims a national energy supply shortage and establishes temperature restrictions in nonresidential buildings. -
Regan
President Reagan signs the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, the Nation's first comprehensive nuclear waste legislation. -
Clinton
President Clinton announces that the United States will stabilize greenhouse gas emissions at 1990 levels by the year 2000. -
Secretary of Energy
President-elect Bush nominates outgoing Senator Spencer Abraham as Secretary of Energy. -
Oil
Crude oil prices drop to $50.48 a barrel, the lowest price since May 2005. Oil is down over a third from its high of $77.03 on July 14, 2006.