Watching a Netflix documentary DamNation talks about the status of Dams in the United States. One of the surprising things I learned is that many of them are very old in terms of power generation. For example, one of the Dams it discussed could be replaced with 3 wind generators. Isn’t this amazing how technology has improved?
Most dams costs tens of millions of dollars. Now according to this industry page a utility power generator can cost as little at $4 million dollars. Certainly a lot of money, but far less than the alternatives with none of the side effects.
I grew up in a state that had lots of Dams and was even featured in this documentary. I also had the good fortune to have a very close up and personal tour of a plant from a relative who worked in the Dam industry. I can’t say that I am an expert by any means, but it seems clear from this movie and discussion with him that hydroelectric power generation is not the great hope it once was.
I like clean, renewable power, so it saddens me that the technology hasn’t kept up with the competition. In comparison solar power technology had had billions invested in the past decades, and the cost is sometimes cheaper than traditional coal generation. Once you factor in pollution, of course it is cheaper.
Which leads us to the interesting state of affairs where we are now. If we know that solar power is cheaper and better for the environment, why are we still using coal? It is easy to place the blame on power companies and people who profit from the current arrangement. However it is equally important as a consumer to tell your power company that you want clean power and you will change companies to get it. In many areas, you have the option to buy cleanly generated power and it doesn’t have to be more expensive. It is just a matter of taking the time to do it.
I admit that I have been guilty of knowing this and not acting on it. Oftentimes the hassle of being earth aware is tiring. However now that I have written this I will take steps on Monday to see if clean power is available to me. I can not fault others what I am guilty of doing myself.
Being a good steward of the earth comes at a cost of more effort, but what choice do we have? We have to live here and we need to do a better job to protect what we have.
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