Energy in America By barzlewis Feb 22, 1888 First Windmill to Generate Electricity Developed in Cleveland, Ohio Feb 22, 1901 Modern Oil Industry Born on a Hill in Southeastern Texas Feb 22, 1935 Hoover Dam, the World's Largest Hydroelectric Power Plant, Is Built Dec 20, 1951 First Nuclear Power Reactor to Generate Electricity Built in Idaho Dec 2, 1957 First Commercial Nuclear Power Plant Begins Operation in Shippingport, Pennsylvania Feb 22, 1960 First Commercial Scale Geothermal Electric Plants in the US Built in California Sep 10, 1960 Formation of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Baghdad, Iraq Aug 4, 1977 Department of Energy Organization Act Is Signed, Creating the US Department of Energy Mar 18, 1979 Three Mile Island Nuclear Accident in Pennsylvania Creates Widespread Public Opposition to Nuclear Power Apr 20, 2010 BP Oil Rig Explodes & Causes Largest Oil Spill in US History