2000
Amendment to Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953 detailed policies for development of offshore oil and gas (hydrocarbon) resources and protecting marine environments.
1992
Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct 1992) restructured U.S. energy markets and sought to reduce foreign petroleum and oil imports.
1990
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 reduced harmful air pollution from mobile sources (moving vehicles) and set forth sanctions for regional nonattainment areas.
Oil Pollution Act of 1990 clarified the financial liability of oil companies for cleanup of marine oil spills and authorized funds for the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.
1989 thru 1994
During this period the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began regulating gasoline volatility and formulations.
1986
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) strengthened, clarified, expanded, and amended Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980.
Electric Consumers Protection Act of 1986 (ECPA) tightened environmental considerations in development of hydroelectric licensing.
1985
Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985 made states responsible for permanent disposal of radioactive waste.
1983
Presidential Proclamation Numbered 5030 designated offshore resources as an exclusive economic zone of the U.S.
1982
Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 and amendments made the federal government responsible for permanent disposal of radioactive waste.
1981
Executive Order 12287 removed price and allocation controls (such as those based on the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973) from crude oil and refined petroleum products.