Energy, the entire world lives, and dies by energy.
It was a massive release of energy that created the universe, that created Equestria and created the Wasted West. In the old days most energy came from unicorns. Ponies lucky enough to be born with a horn on their heads and all the energy to use when the wanted.
One would think that this would cause prejudice and jealousy among ponies without such capabilities, except in some small isolated groups, ponies of different races mostly got along. Supporting old pre-Revolution ideals of Friendship and Harmony.
That was until the start of the Energy revolution.
Ideals of harmony and camaraderie did prevent massive violence between the races, But it did nothing stop the greatest minds of each of the races from working around the clock to find of flexible, and abundant forms of energy
First, high above the clouds the Pegisi first harnessed the very weather they had controlled. Clouds constantly expand which though some clever thinking can be utilized to power many different forms of machinery. A Long expansive railway system had been laid all over equestria. Cloud powered trains ran all over the land in order to meet the rising demands for reliable and fast transportation.
But that was Simply the beginning.
Then was Electricity, also know as “The Spark.” Discovered by the unicorns and marking the beginning of a dramatic leap forward in technology for all ponies. Soon earth ponies didn't need to burn oil made from vegetables in order to work at night. They could just hook to a expansive grid that was placed through Equestria and have all the light they need with bulbs of glowing metal or fluorescent. This led to a number of new inventions, radio, T.V, electronic ovens, heaters and motors.
Life In Equestria had changed dramatically in just a decade, Now a simple earth pony could have electricity dance across his hooves and into a machine that could do the work of one hundred farm hands. Then have his entire crop loaded onto a train and have it transported where it was needed in a quarter of the time without having to risk a long and dangerous journey.
Then Earth ponies, Inspired to create a energy all their own. First discovered in a giant pocket under Appleloosa the greatest and most powerful energy, more so than even magic. It would change Equestria forever.
It was known to the nerdiest of unicorns as “Petroleum.” To the common Lay pony “Oil” and to the average Wasted West Wanderer.
“The Black Fuel”