With large amounts of wind power being produced, wind energy undercut power prices by being 14% cheaper than a new coal plant, and 18% cheaper than a new gas plant and nuclear plant. Consumers are now benefiting from the abundance of wind energy by reduced their bill by 40% since 2008 (Jones). The largest disadvantage of wind energy is that it can only be harvested during high wind seasons. .
Aside from wind power, another source of electricity is being provided by hydropower. Hydropower started in the early 20th century transmitting electricity using compressed air from falling water to power machines that produce electricity. This generation occurs by allowing the water to flow past a waterwheel, propeller, or turbine. Water flowing from higher level to lower level is used to activate a turbine that drives an electric generator. Building a dam across a river or stream can increase the energy of flowing water. The amount of power furnished is proportional to the rate of flow of water and the vertical distance through which it falls. Most dams are constructed for multiple purposes: to provide for irrigation, to aid flood control, help improve the navigability of waterways, and especially to furnish power for hydroelectric plants. .
Countries that are hilly and have plentiful rainfall to create large, fast-flowing waters produce the most hydroelectricity. Boardman River Dams is one of the largest electricity providers in the Grand Traverse Bay area. They have conducted an estimate for the cost of repowering the upper three dams of the region: Sabin, Boardman and Brown Bridge at approximately $17 million (Knott). The Committee announced, "A key reason that re-powering the dams would be this expensive is because a new generating license would be required from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Likely outcomes of this re-licensing would be requirements to add fish ladders to allow for safe fish passage, and cold water bottom-draw to minimize warming of habitat downstream of the dams "(Knott).
