HEALTH & SCIENCE

We use different natural resources to produce electricity. Some resources, like coal and oil, may be gone forever if we use them up. Others, like water, sunlight, and wind, can be used again and again.

Hydroelectric plants use the power of moving water to make electricity. They make less than 10 percent of the electricity in the United States. Why don’t they make more? Work with a partner to find out.

The power of water in motion can be used to make electricity.

• 1 Gather Facts Use different sources for your research. Ask an expert. For example, talk to someone who works for a power company. Or talk to someone who works for an environmental group. Use library books and the Internet. Take notes.

  Internet InsideNG.com

  • Learn how hydroelectric power plants work.

  • Read about the costs to the environment.

• 2 Organize the Facts Make a Comparison Chart. List reasons for using rivers to produce more electricity. Then list the problems.

  Comparison Chart

  Reasons For	Reasons Against
  Water can be used again and again.	It costs a lot of money to build dams.

• 3 Make a Decision Put the facts together and decide your position. Should we produce more hydroelectric power? Or should we use other resources instead?

• 4 State Your Position Tell your opinion. Explain your reasons. Listen to other people’s ideas. Do you still have the same opinion?