WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Washington announced it was investing almost $17 million into 16 projects over the next three years to develop better hydropower technology.
U.S. President Barack Obama set a goal of getting 80 percent of the nation's energy needs met by clean energy sources by 2035.
The U.S. Departments of Energy and Interior announced they were handing 16 different projects in 11 states a total of nearly $17 million over the next three years for research and development in hydropower.
The projects are aimed at smaller and more environmentally friendly hydropower developments.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said in a statement that the funding helps the United States develop one of its largest renewable energy resources with the environment in mind.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu added, "By improving and deploying advanced hydropower technologies, we can maximize our use of this proven clean energy resource, create jobs and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels."
