Timeline: How We Learned to Love—and Hate—Natural Gas
From bridge fuel to fracking, a history of the little blue flame.
AZAdam/Flickr
| 1825 | In Chautauqua County, New York, William Hart discovers natural gas reserves. Uses gas to light buildings in Fredonia; town’s official seal features five burners representing those lights. |
| 1940s | Worried about German subs targeting tankers, government supports construction of oil pipelines from Texas to East Coast; after war, pipelines approved for gas transport as well. |
| 1950 | Natural gas use begins steady climb, will nearly double over next two decades. |
| 1954 | Federal government establishes price controls for interstate gas sales, making it more lucrative to sell in states where it’s produced. Shortages ensue across Midwest and East Coast. |
| 1970 | Gas’ share of US energy consumption peaks at 30 percent (25 percent today). |
To keep reading, click here.
