Re: renewable energy

["Michael N. Monce" <mnmon@CONNCOLL.EDU>]

> Hydroelectric energy is not free. Calculating its true cost is
> highly problematical because one must calculate the very large
> environmental cost as a highly significant contribution. I just
> wanted to point out that fact because many of us city kids with
> physics educations think hydroelectric energy is, essentially,
> free. It ain't so.
>
> Leigh


    Which is exactly the argument myself and our geophysicist (who is a
specialist in hydrology) made to our college.  This occurred after a group
of students convinced the Board that the College should pay 50% more for a
third of its electric use from a company that "sells" supposedly "green"
kilowatts. The company lists specifically hydroelectric power as its
primary, with wind and solar a distance second and third.
    This politically incorrect position on our part was labled as anti-
environmental by the conservation biologists on the faculty, and the
administration thought it was a good PR move.  Sigh.....


                   Mike Monce
                   Connecticut College