Oil crisis and authorization act Trans-Alaska Pipeline System

on october 17, 1973, organization of arab petroleum exporting countries announced oil embargo against united states in retaliation support of israel during yom kippur war. because united states imported approximately 35 percent of oil foreign sources, embargo had major effect. price of gasoline shot upward, gasoline shortages common, , rationing considered. americans began demanding solution problem, , president richard nixon began lobbying trans-alaska pipeline @ least part of answer.

nixon supported pipeline project before oil crisis. on september 10, 1973, released message stating pipeline priority remainder of congressional session year. on november 8, after embargo had been in place 3 weeks, reaffirmed statement. members of congress, under pressure constituents, created trans-alaska pipeline authorization act, removed legal barriers construction of pipeline, provided financial incentives, , granted right-of-way construction. act drafted, rushed through committee, , approved house on november 12, 1973, vote of 361–14–60. next day, senate passed it, 80–5–15. nixon signed law on november 16, , federal right-of-way pipeline , transportation highway granted on january 3, 1974. deal signed oil companies on january 23, allowing work start.