President Nixon Authorizes Construction of Alaska Pipeline (1973)
On November 16, 1973, President Richard Nixon signed the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act, which authorized the construction of the Alaska Pipeline.
After the Oil Crisis of 1973, which saw a large rise in oil prices, Congress debated on how to obtain more energy independence from the Middle East. These debates led to the proposal to drill a pipeline in Alaska for oil. In particular, large amounts of oil were found in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska in 1968.
Congress finally decided that the time was right to drill – and voted to create one of the largest oil pipelines in the world.
On this day, November 16, 1973, President Nixon signed the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act, 43 U.S.C. 1651, which authorized the construction of an oil pipeline from the North Slope to Port Valdez in Alaska. The law also halted legal challenges from environmental groups and activists.
Construction on the pipeline began in 1974. Engineers had to overcome very cold and harsh temperatures along with difficult terrain in the construction of the pipeline. After three years of construction, the pipeline was completed in 1977.
Today, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline transfers oil over 800 miles from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, Alaska. The pipeline is privately owned by Alyeska Pipeline Service Company. And as of 2010, the pipeline has transferred over 16 billion barrels of oil since it began operation in 1977.