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<br />generation sources. Many new small scale sites <br />will be unattended. <br /> <br />Hydro can be used for both base and peaking <br />power in certain circumstances, and can <br />minimize the need for reliance on planned, large <br />scale fossil fuel plants.. <br /> <br />Small hydro sites dispersed throughout the state <br />would provide back-up stability to our power <br />generation system now concentrated at a few <br />large sites. <br /> <br />In Colorado we have many sites where many of the <br />preliminary requirements for hydropower generation <br />already exist. There are 2,300 dams in the state; only <br />a handful are equipped to make power. We have many <br />diversion structures that channel water into useable <br />conduits. Many municipalities have water or sewage <br />treatment systems that involve gravitational flow. <br />Many of the irrigation systems in the state have <br />useable "drops" in the conduits. Additional advantages <br />accrue from making power at these sites: <br /> <br />Costs can be shared with other water uses. <br /> <br />Energy requirements of the present water useage <br />(irrigation pumping, water treatment, etc.) can <br />be supplied. <br /> <br />Most environmental impacts have already <br />occurred. <br /> <br />Retrofitting or expanding an existing structure <br />can be completed in one to two years compared <br />with 10-15 years required to design and construct <br />a fossil fuel plant. <br /> <br />4 <br />