1989 · Milestone
Exxon Valdez oil spill
The March 1989 tanker spill in Alaska's Prince William Sound released over 11 million gallons of crude—prompting the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and global momentum toward double-hull tankers.
Historical era
Gas, nuclear & early renewables (1980–2004)
Natural gas and nuclear held steady shares while PURPA and tax credits seeded wind and solar.