Chris Shaw sent this press release he had received. It's far from the Usu, but it's another sign that hydroelectric power is not without drawbacks as a "clean" energy source.

Bad news for Hydro-Quebec

New York no longer considers large hydropower a clean energy

The State of New York no longer considers large-scale hydroelectricity as a green and renewable energy and excludes it from its list of main tier eligible generation sources. This official recommendation was made public today by Administrative Law Judge Eleanor Stein, President of the Commission regarding a Retail Renewable Portfolio Standard of the New York State Public Service Commission. The consultation process spanned over 16 months and mobilized more than 150 private, public and individual organisations.

The State legislation requires that 17% of the public supply of energy come from
clean and renewable sources. Judge Stein's decision renders unacceptable new
hydropower plants with reservoirs and those producing more that 30 MW. Only
hydropower from small run-of-river power plants will be eligible. Fourteen American
States have adopted a similar legislation and their number is growing every year.

The State of New York wants to raise from 17 to 25% over ten years the proportion of
renewable energy bought from its suppliers. It also incites consumers to choose
green energies in order to fulfill their energy needs. On-going media campaigns
explain the advantages of consuming energy in an environment-friendly way. Quebec's
hydroelectricity no longer meets these standards.

Thus, as hydropower is phasing out on American markets, Hydro-Quebec gets a new and
strong incentive to end its devastating hydroelectric development in James Bay /
Northern Quebec and to turn towards acceptable energy sources, such as wind power.

Rupert Reverence, a group of Cree and Quebec citizens dedicated to the protection of
Northern Quebec rivers, took part in this commission by tabling, on September 26,
2004, a statement regarding the environmental, social and ethical impacts of large
hydroelectric projects in James Bay. Co-President Jacqueline Leroux is highly
pleased with Judge Stein's recommendation. "With this decision, New Yorkers show
their support for the protection of Northern Quebec rivers. Their environmental
conscience will help Quebec attain its Kyoto commitments through the abandonment of
polluting industries such as hydroelectricity and fossil fuel. Now that important
clients are in turn asking for it, maybe Hydro-Quebec will listen."

Rupert Reverence is a non-profit organization founded in October 2001 by Crees and
Quebecers involved in their environment and deeply convinced that there is much more
to lose than to gain by new hydroelectric development in the Eeyou Istchee / James
Bay / Nunavik territory. Well established in its information role, Rupert Reverence
supports the protection of virgin rivers of Northern Quebec, in the name of the
Nations present on the territory, in order to preserve wildlife habitats, ecosystems
balance, ancestral sites and ethnotouristic potential harboured by the great rivers
of Northern Quebec.

For information:

Jacqueline Leroux, Co-President (418) 748-7317 or Eric Gagnon (514) 708-5899

http://www.dps.state.ny.us/03e0188.htm et
www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/renewable_energy

http://www.dps.state.ny.us/rps/03e0188_030926_comments/Rupert_comments.pdf and
Google search: rps state

Eric Gagnon
Rupert Reverence

Southern Quebec
(514) 708-5899
Northern-Quebec (Head office)
(418) 748-7317
199 Laframboise
Chibougamau G8P 2S3