15 Energy Geoscience Literacy: What should Teachers, Students, and the Public Know?

Friday, 13 March 2009
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

HISTORY OF THE OIL INDUSTRY AND ITS ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION

Paper number: 15-2
Program: Theme Sessions
Time: 8:50 AM – 9:10 AM

Authors

  • Jacq Marie Jack Presenting Author
    US Environmental Protection Agency Region 4, Atlanta, GA

Abstract

This lecture will focus on the three significant petroleum discoveries that boosted the US into a world power and how environmental catastrophes and citizen's reactions to these disasters shaped our Nation's laws.

In additon the talk will cover some some esoteric topics including; how a one armed brick layer's vision to employ geologists created the most profitable company in the US, why oil is measured in barrels and not 55 gallon drums, what role the petroleum industry played in preserving the right whales from extinction and a discussion of the public service ad that formed America's environmental ethic and is now a cultural icon.