Stringer, G. (2023, November 16). Many residents say publicly they support maintaining hydropower at Willamette River dams. Oregoncapitcalchronicle. Retrieved January 26, 2024, from https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2023/11/16/many-residents-near-willamette-river-want-dams-to-produce-hydropower/

In Willamette Valley, Oregon, there has been a debate of whether or not to keep the hydroelectric dam in the area. Many argue for the dam because of clean energy production, but the problem is that it is heavily impacting an endangered salmon species population in this area. Public meetings have been being hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Opinions from the public are being taken into account for this decision of whether to keep the dam or not. Concerns come with both sides of the debate. Many people believe that even with the removal of the damn, the salmon will still not be able to make a comeback and then we will have less clean energy. People also worry that the removal of this dam will cause a spike in energy prices in the area. And of course, if we keep the dam the salmon population will stay endangered, declining until its inevitable extinction. The Corps is still waiting for more public feedback before passing the issue to congress who will have the most say in the matter. 

The main problem with dams is the large environmental impact that most of them have. Whether it is directly on the land they are located in, species in the area, or water quality, dams are always have a bad affect on the environment. I think that taking the publics opinion is very important to know what will make the community happy, and to hear new ideas and thoughts on the matter that they may not have taken into consideration before. This is a very relevant topic today, because this is not just happening in this area in Oregon. There are thousansds of dams across the United States that are having the same, or very similar issues. I wonder why this was not accounted for when they were being created? If dams are still constructed in the future, what will we do to change them to make sure problems like these do not happen again. I think because we already have so many, it would be hard to restart what we have already done, but with new technology today im sure we could make much more environmental friendly and safe dams across the United States. 

Myskow, W., & Tigue, K. (2023, September 1). Green Groups Are Divided Over a Proposal to Boost the Nation’s Hydropower. Here’s Why. Insideclimatenews. Retrieved January 26, 2024, from https://insideclimatenews.org/news/01092023/green-groups-divided-over-proposal-to-boost-hydropower-climate-change-emissions/

The hydropower industry is looking for support so it can be used as a primary option for the nation’s transition to clean energy. The bipartisan bill, from senators Daines and Cantwell is going to be used to accelerate the process that the dams undergo to become licensed and legal. With the large amount of dams in the country it will take a long time, but with enough of the money and resources we need, many think that hydropower can be a vital part of our transition to clean energy. On the other hand, many think that hydropower is not reliable and should not be used. It has many negative environmental impacts, and have carbon emissions that come from dam reservoirs, as well as harming ecosystems. A large argument is between the two parties of environmental protection and energy development priorities. 

This article highlights the issues between the two groups of environmental portection, and energy development priorities. It all comes down to whether we think that hydropower is a viable source that can support our needs for energy without sacrificing to much. Many people think that hydropower should not be used due to its environmental impacts, maintencince, cost, etc. Others believe that since they are already here we should focus on them and improve them. This is an interesting topic because many efforts are to destroy dams and restore habitats and ecosystems.  

(2023, October 25). Over $7 billion to invest: America wants to protect its water. Webuildvalue.com. Retrieved January 26, 2024, from https://www.webuildvalue.com/en/global-economy-sustainability/water-investments-usa.html

The environmental protection agency (EPA) is using billions of dollars from the bipartisan job act to focus on our water infrastructure. This money will be used to address the needs of thousands of outdated and aging dams The USACE will take ccontrol of this effort and manage the vast network of dams across the country. The WIFIA program has been funded with $7.5 billion, and their main focus will be on impoverished and disadvantaged communities. Along with these projects, other companies like WeBuild Group will be helping with major projects, with their focus on flood management and water quality. With all of these companies and efforts, the United States is aiming to take control of the situation at hand, having around 91,000 dams in the country, most of which contracts have already expired or will be expired by the year of 2027.

This article is all about the upcoming efforts of companies and programs like the EPA, USACE and WIFIA. They now have access to billions of dollars from the bipartisan job act to focus on the rissing issue of our water infrastructure, mainly focused on dams. This is a problem all throughout the country, with many dams contracts expiring soon and quickly. With the removal of dams comes lots of problems like flooding, sediment release, water quality, etc. This is why groups like the WeBuild Group will be helping out, with their main focus on less fortunate areas. Now our country has a good plan to tackle this urgent issue. I think the strategy we are using is great, by harnessing billions of dollars we are able to get the funding we need and never had previously. We are in a great position now to get this problem figured out. 

Willson, M. (2023, September 20). Hydropower delays pose grid threat as permits lapse. Eenews.net. Retrieved January 26, 2024, from https://www.eenews.net/articles/hydropower-delays-pose-grid-threat-as-permits-lapse/

This article discusses the expiration of licenses and permits for dams in the United States, with focus on the Oroville Damn in California. Many dams, including the Oroville Dam has been wating over a decade for their permits By 2027 around 160 dams will have expired permits, known as licenses, and this is not including the ones that already have expired licenses right now. They must receive a new permit from the FERC. The small town of Oroville, located in the sierra mountains, downstream of the damn, has been waiting for a new license for 17 years. This is bringing up worry about clean energy for this area. Hydropower contributed about 6% of the countries clean energy last year. 

This article shines light on the worries of the people, especially in the are of Oroville. It shows the concern for the future of hydroelectric power. With all of the permits that are going to expire, the FERC is going to have lots of work on their hands. Damns all across the country are going to need new permits to operate. With hydroelectric power making 6% of our total clean energy, we will take a hit from this. And with other issues arising from climate change in general, we are in trouble. 

Thorsberg, C. (2024, January 22). The Largest Dam Removal Project in U.S. History Begins Final Stretch, Welcoming Salmon Home. Smithsonianmag.com. Retrieved January 26, 2024, from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-largest-dam-removal-project-in-us-history-begins-final-stretch-welcoming-salmon-home-180983621/

The Klamath River, which runs through California and Oregon, is going to undergo the largest damn removal in the history of the United States. One of the main concerns of this river is the health of the salmon in this river along with the health of the river itself. The opening of the Iron Gate Damn is a crucial step towards the removal of three other damns aswell. The opening of the Iron Gate Damn started off with just a small crack, then being opened to a three foot wide crack. When it was opened dark brown water was released due to the sediment buildup. This has drained the reservoir by two to four feet per day. This effort will restore hundreds of miles of salmon habitat, along with restorning usable water for indigenous tribes and others that work, use, and live on the river.

The removal of this damn is incredibly important for many people, and the overall health of the river. This 173 foot damn that is being removed has lots of sediment buildup and requires lots of thought and effort to take down. Starting small, the damn was just cracked enough so little water could flow out as to not flood the river. The effects that the removal of this damn will be crucial to the removal of the rest of the damns in the area, along with removal of damns all over the country due to the fact that this is the largest damn removal in the history of the United States. 

Larson, A. (2023, August 28). Hydropower in the Pan Amazon: Belo Monte and the Río Xingu. Msn.com. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/hydropower-in-the-pan-amazon-belo-monte-and-the-r%C3%ADo-xingu/ar-AA1fHUYZ

The Belo Monte hydropower project on the Rio Xingu in the Pan Amazon, Brazil, has been marked by decades of controversy. Originally proposed in 1979 as a cascade of dams, opposition from Indigenous groups and environmental concerns led to multiple redesigns. The final configuration consists of two dams, flooding 51,600 hectares, with a reduced impact on Indigenous communities. Despite political support, the project faced cost overruns and ecological challenges, including altered water flows impacting fisheries and a devastating fish die-off. The facility’s viability remains precarious due to periodic droughts that threaten energy production, risking an energy deficit in Brazil’s grid.

The Belo Monte hydropower project teaches us that constructing power plants can be quite challenging, especially in places with abundant nature, such as the Amazon rainforest. It emphasizes the need for extreme care when balancing energy production, profitability, and environmental conservation. This project also reinforces the importance of developing clean energy solutions that don’t harm nature, treating Indigenous communities fairly, and considering our impact on the climate.

Larson, A. (2023, September 1). Accelerating Sustainable Hydropower Development Around the World. Powermag.com. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from https://www.powermag.com/accelerating-sustainable-hydropower-development-around-the-world/

The hydropower industry is increasingly focusing on sustainability, as seen in the San José Declaration on Sustainable Hydropower. Issued by the hydropower sector at the 2021 World Hydropower Congress, it emphasizes that only sustainable hydropower is acceptable, aiming for clean, green, modern, and affordable solutions to climate change. The declaration outlines principles, including net-positive benefits for communities and the environment, retrofitting non-powered dams, and assessing dams for decommissioning if they no longer provide benefits or have severe environmental impacts. It also calls for new hydropower projects to avoid World Heritage Sites and adhere to international good practices. Another initiative, the Bali Statement, aims to further promote sustainable hydropower’s role in sustainable development. The global goal is to expand hydropower capacity to support net-zero targets, but significant challenges and gaps remain in project development and pipeline expansion.

This focus on sustainable hydropower is very important in today’s society because it aligns with the need for clean and renewable energy sources to fight climate change. Hydropower has the potential to play an important role in transitioning to a greener and more sustainable energy mix. By emphasizing sustainability principles such as community benefits, environmental responsibility, and adherence to global standards, hydropower can contribute to a more environmentally conscious and sustainable energy future. This shift also emphasizes the broader goal of achieving net-zero emissions and preserving natural locations, making it an important step towards a more sustainable and resilient society.

Becker, R. (2023, September 3). World’s largest dam demolition has begun. Can the dammed Klamath River finally find salvation? Msn.com. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/world-s-largest-dam-demolition-has-begun-can-the-dammed-klamath-river-finally-find-salvation/ar-AA1g7oIz

The Klamath River, winding through Northern California and Oregon, is undergoing the world’s largest dam removal project. Four aging hydroelectric dams that have disrupted the river for over a century are being dismantled. This move aims to restore native salmon populations and improve the overall health of the river ecosystem. While the project has sparked controversy among local residents and raised questions about potential challenges, such as sediment release and water allocation issues, supporters are hopeful that the removal will lead to a revitalized and more natural Klamath River, benefiting both the environment and local communities.

The removal of the aging hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River is crucial as it represents a significant step towards restoring the river’s ecosystem and reviving native salmon populations. This action addresses long-standing environmental problems and offers hope for a more sustainable river system, highlighting the importance of prioritizing ecological health and the well-being of local communities in conservation efforts. 

ogaart, P. (2023, January 16). The potential for sustainable hydropower. Nature.com. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from https://www.nature.com/articles/s44221-022-00018-9

The development of hydropower, a renewable energy source, has sparked controversy due to its environmental and societal impacts. To address climate change, low-emission and renewable energy options like hydropower are essential. However, their expansion should consider not only technical constraints but also economic, social, and environmental factors. Recent research by Rongrong Xu and colleagues assessed global rivers to identify unused, environmentally and socially viable hydropower locations. Their findings reveal that much of the theoretical hydropower potential has already been exploited or is unfeasible, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive assessments that consider sustainability and impact, facilitating informed energy policy decisions.

This research is important because it addresses the transition to renewable energy sources while analyzing the stability of different methods. In the article, people are not looking past the damage that hydropower can put on the environment. This article emphasizes the need for environmental-friendly energy solutions. These policies not only benefit our environment but also enhance the well-being of our society, contributing to a more resilient and ecologically-aware future.

Rojanasakul, M., & Bearak, M. (2023, May 2). Is It a Lake, or a Battery? A New Kind of Hydropower Is Spreading Fast. Nytimes.com. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/05/02/climate/hydroelectric-power-energy.html

The traditional approach to hydroelectric power, involving large dams, is giving way to more sustainable alternatives like pumped storage and run-of-river projects. Pumped storage systems, with upper and lower reservoirs, store excess electricity by pumping water uphill and generate power during peak demand by releasing it downhill. China is a leader in this transformation, planning over 80% of global pumped storage projects. These technologies help address the intermittency of renewables like wind and solar. While China still relies on coal, it’s increasing its renewable capacity, making pumped storage a key component of its energy strategy. Run-of-river projects, without large reservoirs, offer a less ecologically disruptive alternative. Conventional dams face environmental and water-saving challenges, along with potential international water disputes and methane emissions.

Typically, when we think of hydroelectric power, we think of large dams that can be damaging to ecosystems. Through new methods, such as the ones in the article, we are able to more sustainably use hydroelectric power. This is also important because it is a good alternative to fossil fuels which pollute the air. This is very important to today’s society, especially when earth is in desperate need of a new energy source.