The Department of Energy of the United States has released a renewable energy resource assessment detailing the potential to develop new electric power generation in waterways across the United States. The report estimates over 65 GW of potential new hydropower development across more than 3 million U.S. rivers and streams –equivalent to the current U.S. hydropower capacity. The Pacific Northwest region (Washington, Oregon, Idaho) would have the largest potential, with nearly 16 GW on larger stream reaches (over 1 MW per reach) and 9.2 GW on smaller stream reaches (below 1 MW). The Missouri region (Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Kansas, Missouri) would also have a significant potential (8.7 GW on larger stream reaches and 3 GW on smaller stream), as well as Alaska (more than 4.7 GW). The previous assessment (2012) found over 12 GW of hydropower potential. The new study demonstrates one of the ways the United States can further diversify its energy portfolio with sustainable and clean domestic power generation.
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