Can the USA afford to continue impeding additional hydropower development?

The value of water depends on its availability and elevation. Solar energy evaporates moisture from our water and vegetative surfaces, and lifts it to elevations at which it can serve many purposes. We can simply stand in awe as it comes down waterfalls, or we can regulate some of it with dams, pipelines and generating units to give us the cleanest and most versatile form of energy. Extreme environmentalists have influenced US law makers to pass ‘Acts’ that would have us all standing in awe of falling water. Recognizing the value of hydropower, we believe water serves mankind best if it is used to give us needed energy, along with the associated benefits of storage schemes.