The operator of China's gargantuan Three Gorges Dam is defending it from critics who have recently accused it of worsening drought conditions and changing weather patterns, according to AP. China Three Gorges Corp. says the dam helped control flooding last year by holding more than 918 billion cubic feet (26 billion cubic meters) of water back in its reservoir and is now alleviating drought by releasing water downstream. It also provided 84.37 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity last year, avoiding the burning of 28.94 million tons of coal and the production of 70.66 million tons of carbon dioxide, the official Xinhua News Agency said Sunday, citing a first-ever social responsibility report issued by the company. -- SPA
