1980-2001

  • Ronald Reagan

    Ronald Reagan is inaugurated President.
  • Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982

    President Reagan signs the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, the Nation's first comprehensive nuclear waste legislation
  • Radioactive Waste Management Office.

    DOE establishes the Civilian Radioactive Waste Management Office.
  • national energy policy plan

    President Bush directs the Department to develop a comprehensive national energy policy plan.
  • End of the Cold War

    President Bush declares the end of the Cold War as the Soviet Union collapses.
  • Iraq invades and seizes Kuwait

    Iraq invades and seizes Kuwait, creating a major international crisis. DOE announces plans to increase oil production and decrease consumption to counter Iraqi-Kuwaiti oil losses.
  • William Clinton

    William Clinton is elected president.
  • Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

    The Senate votes 48-51 to reject the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
  • Terrorist attack

    Terrorists attack the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C. Under the threat of additional assaults, Secretary Abraham orders that all DOE facilities be placed in high security status. All non-essential DOE personnel are evacuated and sent home. All shipments of nuclear materials are halted; nuclear operations around the country are stopped; and nuclear material is secured.
  • The Department's Energy Information Administration

    The Department's Energy Information Administration announces that fuel costs for the upcoming winter should decline across the board for residential use, which will lower heating costs by an average of more than 19 percent. "This is very good news for consumers," states Secretary Abraham. "There is always a measure of uncertainty in the winter oil prices, even more so in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11th."