
Untapped:
How Regulation Stifles Small Hydropower Development
Electricity generated from hydropower has been the largest component of the United States’ renewable energy portfolio for over a century. Small and efficient hydropower installations have the potential to provide added amounts of clean and reliable renewable energy without substantial environmental impacts. The following materials explain the benefits of small hydropower and the obstacles to further development.
Total US Renewable Energy Production


Hydropower is an important part of most renewable energy portfolios.

Hydropower prevents
200 Million Tons
of CO2 from entering
the atmosphere




Small Hydropower is more
environmentally friendly
than Big Hydropower

Small hydropower can generate electricity from:
Water Supply Pipes

Irrigation Canals

Existing Dams




These structures already exist, so small hydro installations don’t hurt fish or natural streams to generate electricity from them.


If policymakers reform this complicated licensing process for small hydropower, more affordable, reliable, and renewable electricity can be generated.