Hydroelectric Power:
Dams have the ability to store water, both from the river itself and rain, therefore in case of a drought the dam can still operate and provide electricity.
The probability of a breakdown is low.
Can provide a place for fish to breed.
Is flood protection for land downstream.
Provides an opportunity for recreational activities such as boating and swimming.
Dams have simple designs with relatively inexpensive repairs and maintenance, because few personnel are needed to operate it due to the fact that most dams are mostly automated.
Produces inexpensive power after building process is complete (it’s basically free). Would take about 5 to 10 years to pay off construction costs completely.
Has little to no green house emissions (only releases green house gases at the construction stage), and is generally a clean source of power. It produces the LEAST amount of green house gases of any energy source (including wind and solar power!)
It is a renewable energy source since the water is not used up.
In the case of emergency or other causes, hydroelectric dams can be shut down instantly versus nuclear power plants which can take days.
The cost is mostly independent of outside influence, meaning that the cost for the energy from dams remains mostly constant. This is unlike fossil fuels for which we have dependence of from other countries with risks of increasing prices.
A hydroelectric dam can last for at least 50 to 100 years, which is a long life span compared to other power plants.
Some dams provide irrigation for farms in the area.
More reliable and efficient then other energy sources.
Specific to New England :
New England has a fair number of available for hydroelectric power.
Biomass:
Can be made locally with low costs.
Renewable and doesn’t depend on outside sources.
Have relatively stable prices.
Widely available and with a large supply.
Energy sources can be grown on land that has little use for the production of food.
Has high energy content.
Has little sulfur, ash, and produces a net amount of nearly no carbon dioxide (when plants are grown for later burning they absorb the amount of CO2 that is later released in burning).
Has very simple technology that has been used for a very long time.
The forests built for this use will provide for many benefits like better air quality and less soil erosion.
We have a lot of plant and agricultural wastes which is the source for this fuel. Meaning we both get rid of unnecessary material AND get energy from it.
Specific to New England :
Already 10% of schools in Vermont are heated via wood.
We have a great amount of forests around, as well as farms which both could contribute to the production of energy. We already have facilities or making wood pellets that are burned for fuel, so we definitely have the potential to peruse this source further.
Geothermal:
After building the facility the cost of the energy is almost free.
Does not release green house gases or other hazardous wastes and is therefore a clean source of energy. Any sulfur dioxide that is potential released is just sent back from where it came.
Some reduce sulfur emissions that occur at natural venting sites, which would be used for energy.
Renewable source, by the time the earth runs out of heat we won’t need it anymore.
Anything exiting a geothermal power plant is almost all water vapor.
Uses up very little land, and be built underground if it is found to not be too aesthetically pleasing.
No transportation of products needed because they are all on site, and no waste disposal necessary.
Simple, and reliable. Not much can go wrong.
Has a long lifespan. All those built in the last 100 years are still in operation.
Though high construction costs, it is eventually paid off due to the virtually free fuel.
Specific to New England :
Not really an energy source that we can pursue to a large extent due to the fact that we do not live in a geologically active area.
However you can invest in something like a geothermal loop field in your home which is provided by such companies as New England GeoThermal. Though initial costs of installation are high it pays off because you do not need to pay for heat or air conditioning for a very long time.