Energy in the United States By macbrower Jan 1, 1748 First commercial coal production in the US Aug 28, 1859 First successful drilling rig to produce oil Nov 4, 1879 Thomas Edison files for US patent for lightbulb dd Sep 4, 1882 Pearl Street Station, first power plant in the US, begins generating electricity Jun 19, 1888 First windmill to make electricity Jun 3, 1889 First hydroelectric plant generates power Oct 13, 1906 Tax on ethanol lifted, making it alternative to gas May 26, 1958 First commercial nuclear power plant in the US Jun 19, 1960 First geothermal plant opens in the US Jun 19, 1984 First solar power plant in the US
