Hydropower and climate change was the focus of a recent California Energy Commission hearing. Associate Director Dr. Joshua Viers was recently interviewed by Capital Public Radio about recent research conducted by the Center for Watershed Sciences and presented to the Energy Commission. From the Cap Radio website:

One of California's longest standing sources of electricity could be compromised by climate change. Many hydropower plants rely on snowmelt from the Sierra, says Joshua Viers (Veers) of UC Davis. But snowpack may be reduced by as much as 50 percent by the end of the century. VIERS: "Most models have indicated a slight decrease in the total amount of generation, and that varies from a just few percentages in near future to perhaps up to 10 percent of our hydropower being reduced over the long-term."

Follow the link below to listen to the podcast.