<< Pre 1900
1900
Highest voltage transmission line 60 Kilovolt.1902
5-Megawatt turbine for Fisk St. Station (Chicago).1903
First successful gas turbine (France). World’s first all turbine station (Chicago). Shawinigan Water & Power installs world’s largest generator (5,000 Watts) and world’s largest and highest voltage line—136 Km and 50 Kilovolts (to Montreal). Electric vacuum cleaner. Electric washing machine.1904
John Ambrose Fleming invented the diode rectifier vacuum tube.1905
in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan the first low head hydro plant with direct connected vertical shaft turbines and generators is opened.1906
In Ilchester, Maryland, a fully submerged hydroelectric plant is built inside Ambursen Dam.1907
Lee De Forest invented the electric amplifier.1909
The first pumped storage plant is opened in Switzerland.1910
Ernest R. Rutherford measured the distribution of an electric charge within the atom.1911
Willis Haviland Carrier disclosed his basic Rational Psychrometric Formulae to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. The formula still stands today as the basis in all fundamental calculations for the air conditioning industry.R. D. Johnson invents the differential surge tank and Johnson invents hydrostatic penstock valve.
1913
Electric refrigerator is invented. Robert Millikan measured the electric charge on a single electron.1917
Hydracone draft tube patented by W. M. White.1920
First U.S. station to only burn pulverized coal is opened.Federal Power Commission (FPC) is established.
1922
Connecticut Valley Power Exchange (CONVEX) starts, pioneering interconnection between utilities.1928
Construction of Boulder Dam begins.Federal Trade Commission begins investigation of holding companies.
1933
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) established.1935
The Public Utility Holding Company Act is passed. The Federal Power Act is passed. The Securities and Exchange Commission is established. The Bonneville Power Administration is established.The first night baseball game in major leagues is played made possible by electric lighting.
1936
Highest steam temperature reaches 900 degrees Fahrenheit vs. 600 degrees Fahrenheit in early 1920s.287 Kilovolt line runs 266 miles to Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
The Rural Electrification Act is passed.
1947
The transistor is invented .1953
The first 345 Kilovolt transmission line is laid.The first nuclear power station ordered.
1954
The first high voltage direct current (HVDC) line (20 megawatts/1900 Kilovolts, 96 Km).The Atomic Energy Act of 1954 allows private ownership of nuclear reactors.
1963
The Clean Air Act is passed.1965
The Northeast Blackout occurs.1968
The North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) is formed.1969
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 is passed.1970
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is formed. The Water and Environmental Quality Act is passed. The Clean Air Act of 1970 is passed.1972
The Clean Water Act of 1972 is passed.1975
Brown’s Ferry nuclear accident occurs.1977
The New York City blackout occurs.The Department of Energy (DOE) is formed.
1978
The Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) is passed, and ends utility monopoly over generation.The Power Plant and Industrial Fuel Use Act limits the use of natural gas in electric generation (repealed 1987).
1979
The Three Mile Island nuclear accident occurs.1980
The first U.S. windfarm is opened.The Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act establishes regional regulation and planning.
1981
PURPA ruled unconstitutional by Federal judge.1982
U.S. Supreme Court upholds legality of PURPA in FERC v. Mississippi (456 US 742).1984
Annapolis, N.S., tidal power plant—first of its kind in North America (Canada) opened.1985
Citizens Power, first power marketer, goes into business.1986
Chernobyl nuclear accident (USSR) occurs.1990
Clean Air Act amendments mandate additional pollution controls.1992
The National Energy Policy Act is passed.1997
ISO New England begins operation (first ISO). New England Electric sells power plants (first major plant divestiture).1998
California opens market and ISO. Scottish Power (UK) to buy Pacificorp, first foreign takeover of US utility. National (UK) Grid then announces purchase of New England Electric System.1999
Electricity marketed on Internet.FERC issues Order 2000, promoting regional transmission
