Changes

==Economic issues==

==Economic issues==

The generation of [[electricity]] by means of alternative energy sources is usually more expensive than traditional, [[coal]]-powered generators.<ref>[http://portsmouthrienergy.com/A2.pdf Portsmouth Sustainable Energy Cost Analysis]</ref><ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/29/business/energy-environment/29renew.html ''New York Times'' Online]: Cost Works Against Alternative Energy, March 2009.</ref> However, because renewable energy has no fuel costs and often requires less maintenance than fossil fuel generators, renewable energy is usually less expensive than fossil fuel-derived energy once initial capital costs are covered.<ref>http://www.costcalc.org/elec/index.php</ref> Renewable energy generators and power plants usually emits little-to-no pollution while operating, though they can cause other environmental effects, such as effects on neighboring ecosystems.<ref>[http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/technology_and_impacts/impacts/environmental-impacts-of.html Environmental Impacts of Renewable Energy Technologies]</ref>

The generation of [[electricity]] by means of alternative energy sources is usually more expensive than traditional, [[coal]]-powered generators.<ref>[http://portsmouthrienergy.com/A2.pdf Portsmouth Sustainable Energy Cost Analysis]</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/29/business/energy-environment/29renew.html ''New York Times'' Online]: Cost Works Against Alternative Energy, March 2009.</ref> However, because renewable energy has no fuel costs and often requires less maintenance than fossil fuel generators, renewable energy is usually less expensive than fossil fuel-derived energy once initial capital costs are covered.<ref>http://www.costcalc.org/elec/index.php</ref> Renewable energy generators and power plants usually emits little-to-no pollution while operating, though they can cause other environmental effects, such as effects on neighboring ecosystems.<ref>[http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/technology_and_impacts/impacts/environmental-impacts-of.html Environmental Impacts of Renewable Energy Technologies]</ref>

There is debate whether to classify hydroelectric dams as renewable.

There is debate whether to classify hydroelectric dams as renewable.