English 421Y: Technical Writing Online

Dean Basso – Group 8
Research Blog #1:

Topic: Hydroelectric power in the United States
Source:
"Water use: Hydroelectric Power." United States Geological Survey. 20 Feb. 2009. United States Geological Survey. 20 Feb. 2009 .

The first source that I researched was from http://ga.water.usgs.gov.edu/wuhy.html. For my first research blog I wanted to focus on the basics of hydroelectricity and the history in the United States. When I found this source, it supplied me with a lot of information about statistics and advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectricity. When looking for basic information of hydroelectricity I also wanted to focus on how it differs from power contributed by using oil. In this source it also gave me information about how hydroelectricity differs from oil dependent power.

Some of the important information that I got from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) was that hydro power is the one of the oldest methods of producing power. Today, it contributes only 7 percent of total power in the nation. Approximately two thirds of economically feasible potential remains to be undeveloped. Some of the advantages of hydroelectric power is that is uses minimal pollution, it plays a major role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and it renewable. The USGS lists disadvantages of using oil, gas and coal that include: using limited natural resources, nuclear power plants have waste-disposal problems, and producing a lot of pollution.

With all of the information the source provided I will be able to not only list advantage and disadvantages of hydroelectric power but will also list the disadvantages of oil, gas, and coal power. This will help me be unbiased and provide important information that I need. Multiple graphs were provided in this source also that will help me explain hydroelectricity.