Energy in the US

Coal

Apr 1, 1748

The first commercial coal production began in 1748 in Richmond, VA. Source

First Natural Gas Well

Nov 5, 1821

The well was dug in Fredonia, NY by William Hart. Natural gas was used to power lights mostly in the 19th century. Source

First Oil Well

May 5, 1859

Edwin Drake drilled the first oil well in Pennsylvania. It was to replace coal gas and whale oil. Source

J.D Rockefeller Develops Petroleum as Major Energy Source

Sep 4, 1870

He also formed Standard Oil, and was at this time in the industrial age, a robber barron. Source

Thomas Edison

Sep 4, 1882

He built the first electric plant in New York. Source

Albert Einstien and Photoelectric Effect

Aug 5, 1905

Einstien published a paper on the theory behind photoelectric effect. Or what we now call the photovoltaic effect. (That that's used in solar power) Source

First Geothermal Power Plant

Sep 4, 1921

Built in California Source

Hoover Dam

Sep 4, 1935

The first and largest at the time hydroelectric producer. Source

First Nuclear Power Plant

Dec 2, 1957

Built in Shippingport, PA. Source

Solar One: First Solar Plant

Sep 4, 1981

In Daggett, California. Source

Humans Caused Climate Change

Nov 17, 2007

IPCC reports the climate change due to humans and their habits. Explains if there's not a change done, it will only get worse! Source

Obama Presents his Clean Power Plan

Aug 3, 2015

Puts many acts into place to cut down the amount of power plant carbon emissions. He pushes the alternative, cleaner energy sources. Source