Us energy consumption pie chart

Energy Use in the US

  • First uses of Hydroelectric power

    First uses of Hydroelectric power
    Thomas Edison was able to build a commercial power generating plant in the US. Following some experimentation in early 1882 with streetlights and a few places powered by a steam-driven generator, the first users in lower Manhattan were connected to and powered by 110V direct current in September 1882 and billed using a meter invented and patented by Edison.
  • General Dam act

    General Dam act
    The General Dam Act transferred title to many dams to the federal government
  • Wilson Dam was built

    Wilson Dam was built
    When the dame was completed in 1926, it was the largest masonry structure in the world to date and a tribute to the Corps engineering prowess.
  • Accident during the Manhattan Project

    Accident during the Manhattan Project
    Harry K. Daghlian Jr. was killed during the final stages of the Manhattan Project from a radiation burst released when a critical assembly of fissile material was accidentally brought together by hand
  • Efficient Solar Cells

    Efficient Solar Cells
    Three American researchers, Gerald Pearson, Calvin Fuller and Daryl Chapin, designed a silicon solar cell capable of a six percent energy conversion efficiency with direct sunlight.
  • First Nuclear generator to become operation in the US

    First Nuclear generator to become operation in the US
    In Pennsylvania, the first commercial nuclear generator to become operational in the United States was the Shippingport Reactor.
  • Corp's-controlled and TVA-generated

     Corp's-controlled and TVA-generated
    In 1970 federal interest, both via the Corps'-controlled generation and the TVA-generated hydro-electric power constituted nearly half of all hydroelectric power generated in the United States.
  • Power Plant accidents

    Power Plant accidents
    It was reported that there were 2,810 accidents in U.S. commercial nuclear power plants in 1987, down slightly from the 2,836 accidents reported in 1986. We always think about the enivornmental issues but what about the health issues for the workers. Was it really worth the risk?
  • US Senator introduces rooftop energy initiative

     US Senator introduces rooftop energy initiative
    US Senator for Vermont Bernie Sanders introduced a legislation aimed at supporting the installation of over 10 million rooftop solar systems over the next ten years. The bill established rebates and other incentives for homeowners and businesses to cover up to half the cost of ten million rooftop solar power systems and 200,000 solar water heaters.
  • New type of Drilling Method

    New type of Drilling Method
    The new drilling is expected to raise U.S. production by at least 20 percent over the next five years. And within 10 years, it could help reduce oil imports by more than half,.
    Oil engineers are applying what is being called a environmentally questionable method in recent years to tap natural gas trapped in underground shale. They drill down and horizontally into the rock, then pump water, sand and chemicals into the hole to crack the shale and allow gas to flow up. Read more: http://w