Hydropower is an emissions-free, renewable, reliable and locally distributed source of electricity.  It provides important economic, environmental, and recreational benefits to New Hampshire.  Small hydro plants pay millions of dollars per year in state and local property taxes, businesses taxes, lease-payments for state-owned dams, and water-user fees for state and federal impoundments.  Although small hydro facilities are not labor-intensive, GSHA plants directly employ more than 50 New Hampshire residents and purchase an estimated $1 million per year in supplies and services from companies statewide.  Furthermore, GSHA plants remove on average 100 tons of trash per year from the rivers, and many provide and maintain recreational facilities including boat ramps, portage facilities and picnic areas.  
 

What We Did In 2014

  • Paid over $800,000 in local and utility property taxes in 2014
  • Employed over 120 NH residents 
  • Spent over a $1,000,000 on NH products and
    services
  • Removed over 100 tons of trash from NH rivers
  • Generated enough power to avoid the need to purchase 122,000 barrels of oil
  • Avoided emissions of 52,000 tons of CO2

It's Not All About Power

Projects provide recreational and fishing
areas, vital flood control, and keep the rivers clean of trash and pollutants

Hydropower Helps Ensure Fuel Diversity

New Hampshire Generation Capacity Fuel Mix

​Hydropower helps protect New Hampshire from becoming dependent on a dominant source of fuel for power.  While one source of fuel may be cheap today, sudden price spikes do happen and by having a diverse source of fuels, New Hampshire can ensure that power prices remain stable over the long term.

GSHA Fast Facts

Click on the Download File link below to download a PDF file with all the benefits of GSHA member projects
2015 GSHA Fast Facts
File Size: 381 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File