Connecticut Approves Large Scale Hydroelectric as a Renewable

Comment

Comment by Penny Melko on June 26, 2013 at 2:31am

When will the destruction of your beautiful state end? And exactly how is hydroelectric green when they destroy the natural flow of water, development of dams and changing the flow of a river or stream anyway. The politicians are totally out of control and are plundering the most pristine places in our beautiful country right in our faces. What they're doing is unforgivable. Who the heck are any of them to think they know what's best for us? It's not us they care about a single one of us. They all have $$$ in their eyes. There will be a day of reckoning when everyone's grandkids are shoving each other out of the way to snatch a cockroach to eat.

Comment by Hart Daley on June 25, 2013 at 9:38pm

We need to utilize hydro in Maine. We have ample water sources and need our electric rates reduced! Talk to your state reps any chance you get.

Comment by Long Islander on June 24, 2013 at 9:37pm

More can be read right here.

"Democratic Governor Led the Battle
Malloy, a Democrat, vigorously championed adding large-scale hydropower to the renewable power mix, pointing out hydropower is substantially less expensive than wind and solar power and emits no greenhouse gases."

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Todd Wynn, director of the Energy, Environment, and Agriculture Task Force for the American Legislative Exchange Council, says state legislators across the country are attempting to freeze, repeal, or reform their renewable energy mandates in order to dampen their negative economic impacts.

“Hydropower is an emissions-free source of electricity that is generally, and inexplicably, excluded from renewable energy mandates,” said Wynn. “Although a better approach would be full repeal of Connecticut’s renewable energy mandate, the inclusion of hydroelectricity is a small step towards making sure electric utilities can use more affordable and reliable sources of energy to meet the mandate.”

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Fahle pointed out Connecticut residents will get some much-needed relief in lower electricity prices.

“Connecticut residents have the third highest residential retail electricity rates in the nation,” he said. 

Renewable power mandates in Connecticut and elsewhere still retain some popularity because most of the expensive renewable power requirements have yet to kick in, Fahle said.

“The issue is that there has not been a lot of pain from the ‘20 percent by 2020’ Connecticut renewable power mandate yet, but now they’re getting to the point where it will be painful for the consumers. The hydro issue is a punt that will allow environmental activists to feel good about themselves and say, ‘Oh look, it’s working,’” Fahle explained.

Daniel Simmons, director of regulatory and state affairs for the Institute for Energy Research, said consumers will benefit from a large source of hydropower, which offers some of the cheapest energy in the nation.

“States like Washington, Oregon, and Idaho have large rivers, so they have ready-made sources of inexpensive hydropower. People often forget that Connecticut has Quebec [nearby]. The power that Connecticut will import from Quebec will be cheaper and more reliable than any other renewable power source available. If the point is to generate more power from renewable sources, then legislators should certainly highlight hydroelectricity,” said Simmons.

“States in the Northeast have some of the highest electricity costs in the United States, and they need some relief,” Simmons said."