The Energy War
In the 1970s, the U.S. faced an energy crisis so severe that President Jimmy Carter declared it “the moral equivalent of war.” Seeking to curb the country’s dependence on foreign oil, Carter kicked off a legislative melee with the divisive Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 at its center. This epic look at the inner workings of government chronicles the arduous efforts of lobbyists, senators, cabinet members, and the president himself to reach a compromise amid a deeply divided Congress. Directed by legendary documentary filmmakers D. A. Pennebaker, Chris Hegedus, and Pat Powell as a three-part PBS special, THE ENERGY WAR is a riveting immersion into the high-stakes world of DC dealmaking as well as a timely account of the messy realities of lawmaking in a fractious political environment.
Cast: Jimmy Carter, Ted Kennedy, Gary Hart
Season 1
3 episodes
- 1. Mark UpCovers the frantic lobbying through the first test vote on the Senate floor.CC1 h 28 minJan 1, 1979
- 2. FilibusterSpans the historic eight-day filibuster and subsequent passage by the Senate of a bill diametrically opposed to the President’s.CC1 h 30 minJan 8, 1979
- 3. Final VoteDepicts the Herculean effort by the President, Secretary Schlesinger, and congressional allies, to wrest a natural gas compromise and steer it through a formidable coalition of Left and Right, and finally into law.CC2 h 0 minJan 15, 1979
The Energy War
In the 1970s, the U.S. faced an energy crisis so severe that President Jimmy Carter declared it “the moral equivalent of war.” Seeking to curb the country’s dependence on foreign oil, Carter kicked off a legislative melee with the divisive Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 at its center. This epic look at the inner workings of government chronicles the arduous efforts of lobbyists, senators, cabinet members, and the president himself to reach a compromise amid a deeply divided Congress. Directed by legendary documentary filmmakers D. A. Pennebaker, Chris Hegedus, and Pat Powell as a three-part PBS special, THE ENERGY WAR is a riveting immersion into the high-stakes world of DC dealmaking as well as a timely account of the messy realities of lawmaking in a fractious political environment.
Creators and cast
- Directors
- Chris Hegedus, D. A. Pennebaker, Pat Powell
- Created by
- Sherry Jones, Nathalie Seaver, Pat Powell
- Cast
- Jimmy Carter, Ted Kennedy, Gary Hart,
