Profile America -- Wednesday, September 23rd. An early idea about using electricity in America set the stage for a major source of today's energy. This month in 1882, the world's first hydroelectric power plant began operating on the Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin. Inspired by Thomas Edison, a man named H.F. Rogers built the facility to power his papermaking plant. Soon, hydroelectric power plants were spurring industrial growth in many parts of the country. Today, water generated electricity is most important in the West. Nationally, hydroelectric plants generate more energy than those fired by petroleum, but less than those using coal, natural gas, and nuclear fuel. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online athttp://www.census.gov.
Sources: www.americaslibrary.gov
Statistical Abstract 2009, t. 906
Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look under the "Newsroom" button).
