California Drought Dries Up Hydro, But Power Stays On

Solar, wind, natural gas, and planning help stave off energy crisis for parched state.
Mar 27, 2014 10:00 AM ET

The Great Energy Challenge Energy News

California's record drought has parched crops, but hasn't yet dimmed lights or choked the flow of electricity, even though the Golden State, with more than 300 dams, has long been a hydroelectricity leader among U.S. states.

California's hydro plants generated less power in 2013 than they had in 21 years, but the state's water crisis hasn't turned into an energy crisis, thanks to a mix of renewable energy, natural gas, and planning. (Take related Quiz: What You Don't Know About Energy and Water.)

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