other things to consider...cost of coal mining, cost to breathing coal dust, oil fumes, health of workers. Accidents from high wind towers..should be lower I think. Cost of a war in mideast..we are dangerously close. cost of supporting some people in Africa, etc. when with some energy they produce they could be self-supporting. IMproved agriculture. Improved maternal care with something as simple as lights in delivery rooms. Diverting money now spent on energy to agriculture, health, education. Using up of things that are waste products now..old cars, refrigerator, computers..could be put to good use in third world. Give them the materials and electronics and they will come up with stuff. Ecological effects of clean vs. dirty energy. FInancial effects of transporting your energy vs. producing it on the spot. Massed vs. distributed energy.

Why do we need water falls? They pump the water uphill with pumps when there is excess energy and let it fall when time is right. mg