There is no simple answer to your question.
First off, we would like to point out that in 2004, the International Conference for Renewable Energies held in Bonn, Germany, brought together representatives of 154 countries, including the United States, Australia, Switzerland, Spain, Norway, Mexico, Japan, China, Italy, Vietnam, Denmark, France and Canada. Participants declared that renewable energies included solar, wind, hydropower, biomass and geothermal. Hydropower is therefore recognized worldwide as a renewable source of energy.
Hydropower is also recognized as a renewable energy source by various other official sources:
- In September 2009, the 33rd Conference of the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, recognized hydropower as a renewable energy source and stated that American and Canadian federal legislation should do the same.
- In November 2010, the U.S. National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (representing the state public service commissioners who regulate essential utility services, including energy, telecommunications, and water) recognized that hydropower facilities can be valuable clean and renewable energy resources.
- In June 2010, Vermont passed An Act Relating to Renewable Energy, officially recognizing hydropower as clean and renewable energy. In August of that same year, we signed a long-term supply contract with two of the State’s major electricity distributors.
- The Energy Information Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy classifies hydropower as a renewable energy source.