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In San Fransisco, California, Peter and James Donahue produced a methane gas from coal, which was the United States' first production of natural gas from a fossil fuel.
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Daniel Hallady produced the first windmills in the United States. These windmills were based off of European models, but had wooden sails instead of cloth.
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Edwin Drake and the Seneca Oil Company drilled the first sucessful commercial oil well, which greatly influenced the use of oil as an energy source in the U.S.
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The first patent for a gasoline-powered car was issued to Charles Buryea. This greatly heightened the urgency for more accessibility to fuel sources.
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Aubrey Eneas formed The Solar Motor Co. in Pasedena, California, which was the first solar power company in the United States.
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The first offshore oil wells were drilled off the Pacific Coast.
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Turbines begin to creat power at Shasta Dam, giving the United States one of its largest hydroelectric resources at the time.
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The 30 millionth customer subscribes to U.S. electrical utilities. This gave 98% of the U.S. electricity, which called greater attention to the need for alternative energy sources.
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The Environmental Protection Agency was created, which caused a movement to find cleaner energy solutions.
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On this date, OPEC raised crude oil prices, which pushed the U.S. to find alternative energy sources.
