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Renewables
Kinsey Grant Baker
Kinsey Grant Baker
Energy Central Team
·Posted in Renewables
Wed, Jul 9

NEWS: America depends on hydroelectric power, but regulatory hurdles could take plants offline

Hydropower supplies electricity to 25M Americans and offers critical grid reliability, but aging plants and relicensing headaches could sideline key assets. (PBS Nebraska)

  • The aforementioned OBBB preserved tax credits for hydro, giving the sector a much-needed boost. 

  • But: Federal license renewals can take 8+ years, and 36% of US hydro operators are considering shutting down, citing rising costs and conflicting agency mandates.

  • Industry groups say streamlining federal approvals is now urgent, especially since hydropower balances renewables without building “tons and tons of batteries.”

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