The Energy Information Administration Click here to start Table of Contents Energy Information Administration Major Disruptions of. This marks the 25th anniversary of the energy crisis of 1973, in some ways the most pivotal year in energy history.
Anniversaries are often a time of reflection.
In this spirit, the Energy Information Administration presents here 30 major energy trends in the United States over this period. Taken as a whole, these measures provide a picture of how this country has responded to the crisis a quarter century ago. Through 1972, Americans had become accustomed to expanding energy consumption with minimal concerns about the constancy of supply or sharp price escalations. In 1973, however, expectations about energy supply changed dramatically. The turmoil started early in 1973, as customers experienced electricity brown outs and rapidly rising prices for fuels and other necessities.