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Beginning of the commercial production of coal
Coal was produced and sold near Richmond, Virginia. It had various uses and was particularly useful in the Revolutionary War. -
Invention of the lightbulb
Tomas Edison invented the first practical incandescent lightbulb for commercial use. -
Development of the first nuclear reactor
Enrico Fermi, an Italian American physicist, and a group of other scientists were able to self sustain a nuclear chain reaction in Chicago. -
First electricity from a nuclear reactor
The Experimental Breeder Reactor produced electricity from a nuclear reactor at the National Reactor Testing Station. -
Firs nuclear powered submarine
The U.S.S. Nautilus, the Navy's first nuclear powered submarine, is launched. -
Establishment of the Energy Policy Office
The Energy Policy Office is established by President Nixon to help coordinate energy policies at the presidential level. -
Energy Policy and Conservation Act
President Ford signs the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. With this act came the creation of a petroleum reserve, and controls on the fuel economy of cars. -
Solar Energy Program
President Carter presents a program aimed toward the increased use of solar energy. This program increased funds for solar energy developement and research. -
Nuclear Waste Policy Act
The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 is signed by president Reagan. This is the first piece of legeslation regarding nuclear waste regulation. -
British Petroleum oil spill
The largest spill in the history of the petroleum industry occured in the Gulf of Mexico from an exploded off shore oil drill run by BP.
