Facts about Hydro Power

World-wide, about 20% of all electricity is generated by hydropower.

The United States is the second largest producer of hydropower in the world. Canada is number one. Norway produces more than 99% of its electricity with hydropower. New Zealand uses hydropower for 75% of its electricity.

Hydropower is clean. It prevents the burning of 22 billion gallons of oil or 120 million tons of coal each year. Hydropower does not produce greenhouse gasses or other air pollution. Hydropower leaves behind no waste.

Hydropower is the most efficient way to generate electricity. Modern hydro turbines can convert as much as 90% of the available energy into electricity. The best fossil fuel plants are only about 50% efficient.

Hydropower does not experience rising or unstable fuel costs. From 1985 to 1990 the cost of operating a hydropower plant grew at less than the rate of inflation.

Hydropower is the leading source of renewable energy. It provides more than 97% of all electricity generated by renewable sources. Other sources including solar, geothermal, wind, and biomass account for less than 3% of renewable electricity production
Water is a naturally recurring domestic product and is not subject to the whims of foreign suppliers.