Hydropower--An Energy Source Whose Time Has Come Again
EMD-80-30: Published: Jan 11, 1980. Publicly Released: Jan 11, 1980.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
There is an urgent need for the United States to develop its renewable energy resources and reduce its dependence on imported oil. One resource for which technology is available now is hydropower. The best prospects for the development of hydropower are at existing hydro sites where the dam structures are already built and the environmental impacts are few. Despite the administration's stated interest in small-hydro development, the Small-Hydro Program has moved slowly.
Although demonstrations were needed to measure constraints and show hydro viability, more than 2 years passed before demonstration grants were awarded. The program lacked clear direction and an adequate staff. Thus, potential hydro developers were not receiving needed assistance. GAO felt that an aggressive outreach program would give important impetus to the program. Efforts to clearly define how it planned to foster development have been contradictory. Although positive efforts have been made in streamlining licensing procedures for non-Federal dams, no similar actions were being taken to improve the approval process for adding power at existing Federal dams. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has been indecisive about whether public or nonpublic entities had preference when competing licensing applications were submitted. GAO forsaw bottlenecks in handling the increasing volume of applications for licenses and permits. Additional factors hindering development included the inability of potential developers to find a market for their power and the limiting of the legal size of a project to 15 megawatts.
Mar 1, 2021
-
Man-Made Chemicals and Potential Health Risks:
EPA Has Completed Some Regulatory-Related Actions for PFASGAO-21-37: Published: Jan 27, 2021. Publicly Released: Mar 1, 2021.
Jan 22, 2021
-
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:
Information on the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability ProgramGAO-21-240R: Published: Jan 22, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 22, 2021.
Jan 19, 2021
-
Chemical Assessments:
Annual EPA Survey Inconsistent with Leading Practices in Program ManagementGAO-21-156: Published: Dec 18, 2020. Publicly Released: Jan 19, 2021.
Jan 15, 2021
-
Environmental Liabilities:
NASA's Reported Financial Liabilities Have Grown, and Several Factors Contribute to Future UncertaintiesGAO-21-205: Published: Jan 15, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 15, 2021.
Jan 13, 2021
-
Nuclear Waste:
Congressional Action Needed to Clarify a Disposal Option at West Valley Site in New YorkGAO-21-115: Published: Jan 13, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 13, 2021.
Jan 7, 2021
-
Hanford Cleanup:
DOE's Efforts to Close Tank Farms Would Benefit from Clearer Legal Authorities and CommunicationGAO-21-73: Published: Jan 7, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 7, 2021.
Dec 18, 2020
-
Drinking Water:
EPA Could Use Available Data to Better Identify Neighborhoods at Risk of Lead ExposureGAO-21-78: Published: Dec 18, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 18, 2020. -
Recycling:
Building on Existing Federal Efforts Could Help Address Cross-Cutting ChallengesGAO-21-87: Published: Dec 18, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 18, 2020.
Dec 9, 2020
-
Environmental Protection:
Action Needed to Ensure EPA's Enforcement and Compliance Activities Support Its Strategic GoalsGAO-21-82: Published: Dec 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 9, 2020. -
Oil and Gas:
Onshore Competitive and Noncompetitive Lease RevenuesGAO-21-138: Published: Nov 19, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 9, 2020.
Looking for more? Browse all our products here