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First Natural Gas Well Dug in Fredonia, New York
The first natural gas well was dug in Fredonia, New York, in 1821 by William Hart after he found gas bubbles rising to the surface of a creek. The picture is a monument in the town of Fredonia which marks the location of that well. Sources:
http://naturalgas.org/overview/history/
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/sHt5DTiZTa-j0vHPIP35qXVLm1-sAYfIwu5cndFWCQ0KK-k1bAiJOSmrgWbdksHnexduEscGCuuOoBWTjwMkyh_hJvik77ewVI5yFlQ0zkAW_WzlZ94=w5000-h5000 -
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Ten Key Historical Energy Events in the US
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First Oil Well Drilled in Titusville, Pennsylvania
The first oil well was dug in Titusville, Pennsylvania in 1859 by Colonel Edwin Drake who hit oil 69 feet below the Earth's surface. Sources:
http://naturalgas.org/overview/history/ -
Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam was completed in 1936 during the Great Depression, and has provided hydroelectric power to the US for 80 years. The dam produces 4.2 billion kWh per year and has a capacity of 2,080 MW. Source:
http://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/faqs/powerfaq.html
http://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/images/Hoover-Dam-slide1.jpg -
Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project is formed in 1942 in order to build a nuclear device that would have a massive destructive potential which could be used in the Second World War. The Manhattan Project would lead to advancement in nuclear energy after the end of World War Two. The picture shows the scientist who formed the team that developed the first nuclear weapon. Source:
http://manhattanprojectvoices.org/sites/default/files/fermi_enrico_e13%20cropped.jpg -
National Reactor Testing Station Produces the First Electric Power from a Nuclear Reactor
On December 20th, 1951, the Experimental Breeder Reactor Number 1 at Arco, Idaho, produced the first electric power from a nuclear reactor. This would pave the way for future nuclear power plants. The picture shows the National Reactor Testing Station at Arco, Idaho. Sources:
http://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-management/history/doe-history-timeline/timeline-events-0
http://www.witchcat.ws/Experiences%20as%20a%20Cowboy/s1w.jpg -
Earth Day
On April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day took place in which millions of Americans joined together to demonstrate how a environmentally friendly world could look. The movement was created by Senator Gaylord Nelson in response to an oil spill in California in the previous year. The picture shows the front page of the New York Times after the Earth Day of 1970. Sources:
http://www.earthday.org/about/the-history-of-earth-day/
https://fcwc.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/dotearthdaynyt-blog480.jpg -
Project Independence
US President Richard Nixon creates Project Independence to achieve energy independence in the United States by 1980 in response to the United States' dependence on foreign oil which caused an energy crisis during the Yom Kippur War. The picture is of a booklet describing Project Independence. Source:
http://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-management/history/doe-history-timeline/timeline-events-1
http://joeforamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Project-Independence_opt.jp -
Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982
President Ronald Regan signed the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 which provided the nation with the first legislation concerning the treatment of nuclear waste in regards to power production. This served as a step towards widespread nuclear power. The picture is of Regan during his time in office. Source:
http://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-management/history/doe-history-timeline/timeline-events-2
http://opportunitylives.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/reagan-trump.jpg -
The Climate Change Action Plan
President Clinton and Vice President Gore created The Climate Change Action Plan to give voluntary ways in which the public could stabilize greenhouse gas emissions. This was to fit President Clinton's goal to maintain greenhouse gas emission levels at 1990 through the year 2000. The picture is of Clinton during his presidency. Source:
https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/451207149478096896/HoMUOmyu.jpeg -
"Three Amigos" Summit
President Obama, PM Justin Trudeau, and Mexican President Nieto are meeting in Ottawa to discuss clean energy goals during which President Obama is expected to announce a combined goal of creating half of all of North American energy through clean energy methods by 2025. Source:
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/601794/obamas-ambitious-clean-energy-goal-will-depend-on-nuclear-and-the-next-president/
