Large Hydro Power
What is large hydro power?
Large hydroelectric power is electricity produced by mega dams. A significant portion of Vermont’s electricity comes from a power company called Hydro-Quebec, which operates dozens of large hydro generating stations across eastern Canada. Under current state law, this energy is deemed “renewable” and accounts for most of the power utilities use to meet their renewable energy requirements.
Problems with large hydro
Building a mega dam requires flooding large areas of land. The organic matter decomposing underwater produces methane, the most potent greenhouse gas. This methane is not included in official emissions assessments, nor is the lost carbon sequestration capacity of the flooded forests.
Our energy dollars go out of state instead of being invested in local energy conservation and production.
Dam reservoirs destroy habitat, disrupt ecosystems, and introduce mercury into the food chain.
Mega dams have flooded Indigenous lands, destroying communities and traditional trapping and fishing grounds.
None of the other New England states considers large hydro power to be renewable.
A presentation on the problems with big hydro from 350VT’s White River node and our friends at BALE-VT.
What we want
Accurate accounting of emissions from the large hydro power Vermont currently buys.
No additional large hydro power to be used to meet renewable energy goals.
End unbundled RECs, especially from problematic sources like Hydro-Quebec.
Our energy dollars should go to local production of truly clean energy, such as community solar, wind, and geothermal.