The Hydraulic Power Committee and staff from FERC’s Division of Dam Safety and Inspections discuss current initiatives and issues licensees face. In addition, the O&M and Dam Safety subcommittees will provide updates on key activities.

Hydro enthusiasts: Start your day with a breakfast and briefing in preparation for visits to Capitol Hill. Hear the key messages on hydro issues, pick up NHA materials, then head to the Hill for meetings with your delegation.

Learn about the approaches being used by private developers and utilities to establish new technology businesses that aim to bring to market power from ocean, tidal, wave, and in-stream hydrokinetic resources.

The forum will have two parts:
Part 1: Developer strategies for effectively bringing new technologies to market.
Part 2: Utility strategies for acquiring new sources of green power to add renewable energy to generation portfolios.

Developers will emphasize the critical technical, cost, and policy goals they're pursuing to achieve electricity production within the marketplace. Utilities will describe their programs to acquire new green resources, including what they're doing to facilitate the addition of ocean, tidal, wave and instream hydrokinetic power.

PANEL DISCUSSION:
Congressional Directions on Climate Change and Hydro's Role Session Leaders: Daniel M. Adamson, Davis, Wright & Tremaine LLP, and Roger Ballentine, Green Strategies, Inc.

Climate change is one of the hottest topics on Capitol Hill. This session captures Congress' current thinking on addressing climate change, and how hydro can contribute toward meeting the challenges.

The development of ocean, tidal, and hydrokinetic instream power technologies is raising new issues and concerns about how to provide appropriate licensing and regulatory oversight. In this session, regulators will share information about the status of regulations for these new technologies and what they foresee in the evolving regulatory framework.

Hydropower producers share interests in good stewardship over the nation’s water resources with many others -- especially resource agencies and conservation organizations. This session focuses on how these parties can better work together to craft sustainable water management strategies that effectively balance natural resources protection with socially beneficial hydroelectric production.

The U.S. power industry and our entire society are facing more and more pressure to use less and less water. An expert in water resources sustainability, Robert Goldstein believes we need to manage this issue proactively, intensively, and in an integrated manner. Water, he says, is a shared community resource. Every sector of the economy and society—including hydropower—has a stake in sustainable water use. As the U.S. works to find ways to meet the fast-growing demand for clean, fresh water, what role does hydropower play? How can hydro contribute and benefit? Come hear Dr. Goldstein’s intriguing views about opportunities for hydropower as society works to meet water supply needs.

The record of experience with trial–type hearings continues to grow. And license settlement policies continue to evolve. Learn the latest about these and other regulatory developments affecting the hydro industry.

The U.S. needs more clean energy…and the hydro industry is responding. In today’s environment of higher energy prices and more incentives, a host of conventional-type hydroelectric projects are being built, including:
• Hydro at non-hydro dams;
• Pumped storage;
• Small hydro;
• Minimum flow turbines added at existing projects;
• Hydro turbines installed on water supply conduits.
Learn more about the scope of these developments as well as a first-hand perspective from developers of several different types of projects.

Plant managers and operators share what has worked well—and what hasn’t—in addressing operations and maintenance challenges.

Panelists share experiences and lessons learned in working through the Integrated Licensing Process (ILP) and discuss the advantages and the challenges presented by the various licensing options now available.

NHA uses a short list of key messages in its advocacy work. Are they well understood by policymakers and the public? Which messages are most effective? NHA's lobbying staff will participate in this session to share their experiences in working with Capitol Hill and suggest opportunities for improvement. Contribute your ideas . . . plus, take away messages you can put to work!

Sponsored by: Devine Tarbell & Associates, Hiscock & Barclay, LLP, Mead & Hunt and Van Ness Feldman

Trying to obtain a state Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality certification within a reasonable amount of time, with reasonable conditions, and without undue expense? Learn more about the problems, solutions, and lessons learned by experienced licensing practitioners.

Alas, the weather does not always comply with the requirements of your project's license for minimum flow and reservoir levels. Here, you will learn how to work with FERC and resource agencies to temporarily revise minimum flow and reservoir elevation requirements that cannot be achieved during droughts.

Aging work force, loss of institutional memory, succession planning–how is your organization planning for the future? Where can industry find its leaders for tomorrow? Led by a panel of your peers, this discussion will be of interest to all sectors of the hydro industry.

Be a part of this special, not-to-be-missed NHA membership session! During this fast-paced, exciting, and efficient session, you will:
• Discover how to make the most of your NHA membership;
• Learn what your association's policy work means to your organization's future;
• Get a preview of what issues are on the horizon and how your association plans to tackle them;
• Participate in fun activities and gain insights from fellow members who are working with NHA to move waterpower's agenda forward.

Sponsored by: Brookfield Power and Hydro Consulting and Maintenance Services, Inc.

Research and development plays an important role in maintaining a strong industry technology base, encouraging new technology development that meets the world's energy and environmental goals, and fostering continued innovation. Learn about the current landscape for hydro-related R&D, including hydrokinetic and ocean power technologies, and participate in shaping the industry's forward-looking agenda.

Project owners share their experiences in applying for–and using–financial incentives from Production Tax Credits (PTCs), Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPSs), Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs), and emissions credits.

Learn how owners, agencies, and stakeholders representing diverse interests are cooperating to resolve problems, clear logjams, and achieve agreeable outcomes.

The Hydro Research Foundation (HRF) and the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project have partnered to provide classroom teachers in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia the opportunity to learn more about hydropower and the ways we harness water to generate electricity. This first workshop will be the pilot for more workshops to be hosted throughout the country with NHA/HRF partners. Come visit with the teachers and learn what NHA/HRF are doing to raise awareness, generate candidates for jobs in the hydro industry, and more.

Learn about the key outstanding legal issues of importance to hydro during this roundtable. Organized by the Hydropower Committee of the Energy Bar Association.