History of United States Energy

Shippingport Atomic Power Station

Dec 23, 1957

The Shippingport Atomic Power Station, the world's first full-scale nuclear power plant, becomes operational. http://energy.gov/management/december-23-1957-shippingport

Oil discovered on Alaska's North Slope

Mar 13, 1968

The Atlantic Richfield Company and Humble Oil and Refining Company announce the discovery of oil on the North Slope of Alaska at Prudhoe Bay. http://energy.gov/management/march-13-1968-oil-discovered-alaskas-north-slope

Energy Organization Act

Aug 4, 1977

President Carter signs the Department of Energy Organization Act. The Federal Energy Administration and Energy Research and Development Administration are abolished. http://energy.gov/management/august-4-1977-president-carter-signs-department-energy-organization-act

Defense Waste Processing

Nov 8, 1983

The Department begins construction of the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) at the Savannah River Plant in South Carolina. http://energy.gov/management/november-8-1983-defense-waste-processing-facility

Energy Policy Act

Oct 24, 1992

President Bush signs the Energy Policy Act of 1992, which assists the implementation of the National Energy Strategy. http://energy.gov/management/october-24-1992-energy-policy-act-1992

President Bush announces $85.7 million in Federal grants

Jun 28, 2001

President Bush speaks to employees at DOE's Forrestal building in Washington, D.C. announcing $85.7 million in Federal grants to "accelerate the development of fuel cells, advanced engines, hydro-technology and efficient appliances for American consumers." http://energy.gov/management/june-28-2001-president-bush-announces-857-million-federal-grants

IBM's ASCI White

Aug 15, 2001

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory dedicates the "world's fastest supercomputer," the IBM ASCI White supercomputer with 8,192 processors that perform 12.3 trillion operations per second. http://energy.gov/management/august-15-2001-ibm-asci-white

Bush signs Nanotechnology R&D Act

Dec 3, 2003

Secretary Abraham attends the signing of the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act by President Bush. The act authorizes funding for nanotechnology research and development over four years. http://energy.gov/management/june-28-2001-president-bush-announces-857-million-federal-grants

First hydrogen refueling station opens in Washington, DC

Nov 10, 2004

Secretary Abraham joins representatives of Shell and General Motors in the opening of the nation's first integrated gasoline/hydrogen refueling station in Washington, D.C. http://energy.gov/management/november-10-2004-first-hydrogen-refueling-station-opens-washington-dc

Building the 21st Century Grid

Jun 13, 2010

The White House announces new public- and private-sector initiatives designed to accelerate the modernization of the Nation's electric infrastructure, bolster electric-grid innovation. http://energy.gov/management/june-13-2011-building-21st-century-grid