Fifty years ago, the U.S. experienced a crisis in its relationship with energy, and much of the rest of the world was similarly shocked. A resource that had powered the industrialized world—connecting communities and advancing our ways of life—was suddenly jeopardized. The energy crisis of 1973–74 presented stark imperatives for the energy industry. How was it going to meet the growing demand for safe, reliable energy while keeping it affordable? The U.S. had to balance the need for conservation with the expanding expectations of consumers. Limited natural resources had to be marshaled while simultaneously supporting long-term economic growthEconomic growth.