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John D Rockefeller forms Standard Oil
Brinkley, Alan. American History: Connecting with the Past. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2012.
Rockefeller bought out his competitors and consolidated the oil company into a single organization to make the most profit and deliver the oil at the cheapest prices. Oil was the major energy source, besides coal, and was vital to the development of the country, -
The First Hydro-Electric Power Plant
http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/gilded/jb_gilded_hydro_1.html
On this day in 1882, the first Hydro-Electric power plant in the United States opened in Appleton, Wisconsin. It harnessed the natural power of the Fox River. -
Wind Energy is Harnessed in the US
https://cleantechnica.com/2014/06/22/americas-first-wind-turbine-generated-electricity-1888/
This primitive wind turbine generated reusable energy far before any modern inventions were even conceived. -
Nuclear Fission Discovered
http://connection.ebscohost.com/science/nuclear-power/history-nuclear-energy-production
Nuclear fission was discovered by Physicist Enrico Fermi, and was implemented as the source of power in nuclear plants to later be developed in the 1950's and 60's. -
The First Nuclear Power Plant in the US
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shippingport_Atomic_Power_Station
The Shippingport Atomic Power Plant began producing power on this date in 1957. It was the first nuclear plant to be used in the US. -
Jimmy Carter's "Energy Crisis" Speech
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/primary-resources/carter-energy/
The nation was faced with an energy crisis, and president Jimmy Carter addressed this in his famous speech. The declining amounts of nonrenewable energy sources will hit the country, and citizens need to begin conserving their energy. Carter proposes that renewable energy sources be implemented, and to avoid wasting of coal/oil. -
First Solar Plant in US Opened
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Energy_Generating_Systems
The first solar power plant in the world was opened in California. To this day, it remains the second largest in the world. -
"Energy Star" Company Founded
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_Star
Energy Star is a company devoted to making energy efficient products for consumers. They use approximately 20-30% less energy than other products. -
George Bush Signs Energy Bill
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_Policy_Act_of_2005
George Bush signed into law a new energy policy, which gave tax breaks to those who use renewable energy sources. -
US produces record-breaking amount of Geothermal Energy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_energy_in_the_United_States#History
In 2012, the US produced more energy geothermally than ever before, in any location. A total of 16.972 million megawatt-hours were produced.
