Historical Energy Events By veronicajasminc Period: 1776 to 1850 Use of Wood http://csfs.colostate.edu/media/sites/22/2014/09/MPEC1-400x400.jpg 1816 Beginning of Natural Gas as an Energy Source 1850 Beginning of Coal Energy Use 1859 Use of Petroleum as and Energy Source 1876 First Use of Solar Energy 1882 Hydroelectric Power Use Began 1942 Beginning of Nuclear Power Use 2003 Energy Act Plan 2013 First Cellulosic Ethanol Integrated Biorefineries in the Nation 2016 Development of Renewable Jet Fuel