Nuclear power is available commercially. 1970's - The Mideast oil embargo causes the price of oil to quadruple, and illustrates that energy can be used as a political weapon. Research into alternative energy sources begin to receive more funding. Solar energy cells are first used on spacecraft. The Three Mile Island nuclear accident raises concerns about the safety of nuclear energy.
Research enables more efficient lighting ballasts and window coatings that conserve heat.
The first solar-cell power plant is dedicated. New materials developed for jet engines are used to build more reliable gas turbines. The Energy Policy Act calls for new energy-efficiency programs. Cumulative energy savings due to efficient technologies will reach tens of billions of dollars by 2015.