Energy History Timeline

An Interactive Exploration of Oregon's Energy Events

The 2020 Biennial Report debuted a static Oregon Energy History Timeline that aimed to shed light on Oregon’s energy systems that have evolved from the state’s natural resources and in response to events like technology development and energy crises. The timeline also shared events that significantly affected Native American tribes, the original inhabitants of Oregon. The timeline includes a number of events that unfolded over time and policy choices that Oregon’s leaders and citizens have made in response to these events. For the 2022 Biennial Report, the agency took on a project to modify the timeline to an interactive online tool and experience.;xNLx;;xNLx;The ODOE team collected dozens of photographs, stories, videos, and more to create a truly insightful and informative journey through Oregon’s energy history and present. The interactive tool is composed of three timelines: Energy Policy sub-timeline, Energy Technology & Innovation sub-timeline, and the main events timeline (bottom). Each showcases events that have shaped Oregon’s energy landscape and the way we live today.;xNLx;;xNLx;Tribal Land Acknowledgement;xNLx;;xNLx;Indigenous tribes and bands have been with the lands that we inhabit today throughout Oregon and the Northwest since time immemorial and continue to be a vibrant part of Oregon today. We would like to express our respect to the First Peoples of this land, the nine federally recognized tribes of Oregon: Burns Paiute Tribe, Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw Indians, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation, Coquille Indian Tribe, Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians, and The Klamath Tribes.;xNLx;;xNLx;It is important that we recognize and honor the ongoing legal and spiritual relationship between the land, plants, animals, and people indigenous to this place we now call Oregon. The interconnectedness of the people, the land, and the natural environment cannot be overstated; the health of one is necessary for the health of all. We recognize the pre-existing and continued sovereignty of the nine federally recognized tribes who have ties to this place and thank them for continuing to share their traditional ecological knowledge and perspective on how we might care for one another and the land, so it can take care of us.;xNLx;;xNLx;We commit to engaging in a respectful and successful partnership as stewards of these lands. As we are obliged by state law and policy, we will uphold government-to-government relations to advance strong governance outcomes supportive of tribal self-determination and sovereignty. ;xNLx;;xNLx;;xNLx;;xNLx;;xNLx;

1650-01-01 00:00:00

Missoula Floods (18,000 to 15,000 ys ago)

Don't miss the "Find out more" link to find out where to explore Oregon's Ice Age Floods features in person.

1675-12-27 00:43:39

Signs of Humans (18,000 to 15,000 ys ago)

Archeological remains and artifacts – the oldest radiocarbon dated evidence of humans in North America – are found where Cooper’s Ferry, ID, now stands. This region is also known to the Nez Perce Tribe as the site of an ancient village named Nip.

1680-11-19 00:43:24

Evidence of NW Indians Fishing at Kettle Falls (6,000 ys ago)

1700-01-01 00:00:00

Major Cascadia Earthquake (300 ys ago)

1820-11-01 21:28:54

Arrival Saw Mills & Grist Mills

1855-10-30 12:53:37

1855 Treaty of Middle Oregon

“The exclusive right of taking fish in the streams running through and bordering said reservation is hereby secured to said Indians; and at all other usual and accustomed stations, in common with citizens of the United States.” - Excerpt from the Warm Springs treaty

1859-02-10 12:51:02

Oregon Becomes the 33rd State

1860-02-10 12:51:02

Coal Gas Streetlights Switch to Natural Gas

Portland Gas Light Co. lights up part of downtown with gas streetlights from coal gas. It becomes Northwest Natural Gas Company in 1958.

1878-11-19 07:43:24

Malheur Reservation Abandonment

The Wadatika Band of Northern Paiutes abandons the Malheur Reservation to escape conflict.

1879-08-14 17:24:17

Thomas Edison Invents the Light Bulb

Fun fact! - In 2020, Oregon used 53.7 million megawatt hours of electricity.

Energy History Timeline

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