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The Effects of Hydropower on Rural Commu nities

The Effects of Hydropower on Rural Commu nities. Ellen Brenna and Andrew Orthober 9/30/11. Background: Hydropower. Powered by kinetic energy as water moves downstream Department of Energy 10% of United States electricity comes from hydropower Department of Energy

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The Effects of Hydropower on Rural Commu nities

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  1. The Effects of Hydropower on Rural Communities Ellen Brenna and Andrew Orthober 9/30/11

  2. Background: Hydropower • Powered by kinetic energy as water moves downstream • Department of Energy • 10% of United States electricity comes from hydropower • Department of Energy • 75,000 dams within Unites States borders • US Army Corps of Engineers

  3. Benefits to Rural Communities • New recreational opportunities • Flood control • Construction employment, limited operation employment • Cleaner energy source • No greenhouse gas emissions • Improve fertility of land surrounding the dam • Department of Energy • Average dam lifespan of 50 years or greater • Army Corps of Engineers

  4. Costs to Rural Communities • Loss of land • Potential cultural importance • Relocation may be necessary • Impacts to river ecology, ecosystem changes • Mercury contamination • International Rivers • Changes in natural wildlife communities • Decommissioning decisions • Maintenance • Sediment build up • Older dams

  5. Conclusion • Social costs are more local, benefits more regional • Case study: • Hydro Quebec • Conflict with First Nation Community • US were main consumers of electricity produced • Sustainability depends on community • Values • Agriculture vs Ecology • Location • History of hydropower in the area • How many dams currently on the river in question

  6. Bibliography Army Corps of Engineers. 2011. National Inventory of Dams. <http://geo.usace.army.mil/pgis/f?p=397%3A1%3A3990196871615932%3A%3ANO>. Department of Energy. 2011. Wind and Water Power Program. <http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/hydro_history.html>. Frey, G.W. and Linked, D.M. 2002. Hydropower as a Renewable and Sustainable Energy Resource Meeting Global Energy Challenges in a Reasonable Way. Energy Policy. 30:1261-1265. International Rivers. 2011. Dams and Water Quality. <http://www.internationalrivers.org>. Jager, H.I. and Smith, B.T. 2008. Sustainable Reservoir Operation: can we generate hydropower and preserve ecosystem values. River Research and Applications. 24:340-352.

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