The National Renewable Energy Laboratory writes in Tech Xplore on a new hydropower report that has identified opportunities to reform the licensing process.
- Hydropower is an important source of clean energy, but its development can be slowed down because of burdensome regulations.
- A new report for the National Renewable Energy Lab and the Oak Ridge National Lab has highlighted a few regulations that impede upon the building of new hydropower plants or upgrades to existing ones.
- Through simple reforms that make regulations more efficient, we can protect our planet and advance new sources of clean energy.
“But other factors disproportionately affect certain types of projects. Smaller projects often have shorter licensing timelines, but, because they bring in less revenue, the costs hit them harder than larger, more profitable projects. And, because older projects can continue to generate income while seeking a relicense, the costs are less burdensome for them than for new projects, which cannot start construction or operation until they have their license in hand.”
Read the full article here.
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