Challenging the Hydropower Clean Energy Future Act: SYRCL’s Perspective
The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) believes it is crucial to address environmental issues with transparency and a commitment to facts. That is why we question some of the assertions made by hydropower providers as to the environmental benefits of their...
G-Res Tool Tutorial
This three-part G-res tutorial video series will help you gain a basic understanding of the G-res Tool and how to find information needed to model the net carbon footprints of your local reservoirs. Developed by the International Hydropower Association and the UNESCO...
BREAKING: Recent Report Shows hydropower Reservoirs in Alabama Emit *Substantial* Amounts of Methane
The Alabama Rivers Alliance (ARA), in partnership with PhD students from the Virginia Scientist-Community Interface (V-SCI), has used the G-res modeling tool to analyze the net methane and carbon dioxide emissions of two of Alabama Power’s hydropower facilities, and the results show that these supposedly “clean” and emissions-free hydropower dams and reservoirs actually create and emit significant quantities of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Methane Emission is Hydropower’s Dirty Secret
As climate change fuels increasingly severe floods and droughts, the value of clean, healthy rivers becomes even more essential. And as we prioritize and increase investment in low- or no-carbon energy sources, it’s vital that we have all the information about costs and benefits of alternatives to fossil fuels. While hydropower dams will continue to play a role in our nation’s energy portfolio, it is important to acknowledge that both reservoirs and hydropower generation contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.