Twenty Million people celebrate the first Earth Day.
1970
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Congress passes the Clean Water Act, limiting raw sewage and other pollutants flowing into rivers, lakes, and streams.
1972
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Congress passes the Safe Drinking Water Act, allowing EPA to regulate the quality of public drinking water.
1974
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Congress passes the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, regulating hazardous waste and its disposal.
1976
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The federal government bans chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in aerosol cans because CFCs destroy the ozone layer.
1978
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Congress creates Superfund making Polluters responsible for cleaning up the most hazardous sites.
1980
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Congress enacts laws for safe disposal of nuclear waste.
1982
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The United States signs the Montreal Protocol, pledging to phase-out production of CFCs.
1987
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Congress bans ocean dumping of sewage sludge and industrial waste.
1988
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Congress passes the Clean Air Act Amendments, requiring states to demonstrate progress in improving air quality.
1990
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EPA launches the Energy Star® Program to help consumers identify energy-efficient products
1992
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President Clinton directs the government to use $200 billion to buy recycled and environmentally preferable products.
1993
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EPA launches an incentive-based acid rain program to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions
1995
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EPA requires municipal incinerators to reduce toxic emissions by 90 percent from 1990 levels.
1995
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President Bill Clinton signs the Food Quality Protection Act to tighten standards for pesticides used to grow food.
1996
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President Bill Clinton announces the Clean Water Action Plan to continue making America’s waterways safe for fishing and swimming.
1998
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President Clinton announces new emissions standards for cars, s.u.v.s, minivans and trucks, requiring them to be 77% to 95% cleaner.
1999
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President George W. Bush signs the Healthy Forests Restoration Act, helping to prevent forest fires and safeguard and preserve the nation’s forests.
2003
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WaterSense is launched to raise awareness on water efficiency, ensure water-efficient products and provide good consumer information.
2006
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Earth Day celebrates its 40th birthday
2010
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