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Western Drought Drives Decline in Hydroelectric Power Generation

In this aerial view, The tall bleached "bathtub ring" is visible on the rocky banks of Lake Powell on June 24, 2021 in Page, Arizona.
But when severe drought and extreme heat collide, as they have this year, states like California that rely heavily on hydropower can be forced to buy extra power to meet demand, which tends to spike when temperatures soar. Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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