IN THIS EDITION…
NHA’s Scouting Report
Latest on how NHA is working on your behalf
Committee Corner
The Latest about Committee and Council activities
On Your Radar…
The latest deadlines, reminders, & alerts
Movers & Shakers
See who has been moving around lately
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars for upcoming NHA Events
The Latest: Take Action! Voting Begins On Board Positions
Exercising your right and privilege to vote is SO important … in federal, state, and local elections …. as well as within your association.
The NHA bylaws state that, each year, the membership will elect 5 new members to the association’s board of directors.
The list of candidates for 2023 and a link to his/her video statement are below.
The primary contact for each member organization has the responsibility to cast the ballot on behalf of the member organization.
Primary members received a separate email today with voting instructions.
Voting closes on December 5.
NHA’s Scouting Report
Here’s how NHA is working on your behalf
Responding to the U.S. Treasury on How To Implement the Inflation Reduction Act
Working on behalf of our members, NHA staff is preparing and will file comments on Friday on four Requests for Information (RFIs) from the Treasury Department regarding the Inflation Reduction Act implementation.
Find the RFIs here. Comments are due November 4.
NHA encourages member organizations to file their own comments as well.
NHA’s Regulatory Affairs Director Michael Purdie is leading the work. Contact: Michael@hydro.org.
Recommended Reading on the Inflation Reduction Act:
Waterpower Trivia Break…
Time to test your waterpower knowledge! In each Playbook edition, we’ll present you with a hydropower or marine energy brainteaser.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
In anticipation of the NHA Southeast Regional Meeting in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on December 5-6, hosted by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the question is:
What was the first hydropower project to begin operating in Tennessee?
Hint: It was not the first to be completed
The first three respondents with the correct answer will be announced in the next NHA Member’s Playbook. Email your answer to info@hydro.org.
Answer to the last edition’s question: The 6 host utilities of Clean Currents 2022 own 6,816 MW of capacity, which is 67% of the hydropower capacity in the state of California.
Upcoming Events
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- November 7: 2:00 PM ET: FLOW (Future Leaders of Waterpower) Monthly Meeting
- November 8: Election Day
- November 14: 2:00 PM ET: Legislative Affairs Monthly Meeting
- November 15: 2:00 PM ET: Regulatory Affairs Monthly Meeting
- December 5-6: NHA’s Southeast Regional Meeting, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Host Utility: Tennessee Valley Authority
- May 8-10, 2023: Waterpower Week in Washington, Capital Hilton Hotel, Washington, D.C.
- October 10-13, 2023: Clean Currents 2023 Conference + Trade Show, Cincinnati, Ohio, Duke Energy Convention Center, host utilities: Duke Energy, American Municipal Power, and City of Hamilton. Clean Currents is the only national waterpower event that these three organizations are supporting in 2023.
Committee/Council Corner
Find details on each NHA Committee and Council HERE.
IMPORTANT: Any employee of an NHA member organization is welcome to participate in any/all of the calls and activities of any committee or council. To get notifications about a particular group listed below (i.e., to “join”), simply email: marla@hydro.org
Future Leaders of Waterpower (FLOW)
- Monday, November 7 at 2PM ET — final FLOW call of the year. We’ll recap 2022, welcome new faces, and open the floor for FLOW members to plan for 2023. Add Meeting to Your Calendar
From GLOW to FLOW
Reflections from FLOW member Nuria Holmes, SWCA Environmental Consultants, after attending NHA’s Clean Currents Conference + Tradeshow:
“I’m finally home from Clean Currents, and let me tell you: my feet hurt and I’m kind of tired of socializing, but I have never felt so excited about the 1,600 people that showed up for our industry last week. I sat on my flight home taking these notes:
From GLOW to FLOW
Andrew Munro (Grant PUD) and I found ourselves talking at the MOSAC social. I told him who I was and that I was Vice Chair of FLOW, and he told me was part of GLOW: The Grand’ol Leaders of Waterpower.
Something that seemed visibly apparent at this conference versus others, but also even different from last year’s Clean Currents in Atlanta, was the sheer amount of young and diverse talent I saw participating in the event.
There is an invested energy behind preparing new leadership in the industry by both the FLOWers and the GLOWers.
In both groups, I saw excitement about a workforce that is passionate about climate resiliency and a clean, renewable energy future – and where hydropower fits into that space.
I saw many of the young workforce introducing themselves cold to a new person and be transparent about their struggles with career mobility in a space that, until now, has felt resistant to change.
I am so excited for where this is all going!
- Nuria Holmes, Senior Project Manager – Regulatory & Licensing, SWCA Environmental Consultants
Hydraulic Power Committee
- Check back in the next edition to see what the Hydraulic Power Committee is working on
Legislative Affairs Committee
- Monday, November 14th at 2 PM ET: Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting.
- Meeting invitations have been sent out — reach out to Catherine at catherine@hydro.org if you are missing the invite on your calendar.
Committee leadership is working with NHA staff to provide input to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) about how to improve energy access to rural or remote areas of the U.S. The Infrastructure Investment and Job Act/Bipartisan Infrastructure Law appropriates $1 billion for the Office to spend on this work.
Council leadership sees this as a key opportunity for funding for the marine energy sector.
Request for information
DOE-FOA 2841: Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas. The DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) has issued an RFI for public input to help inform implementation strategies and funding processes. This RFI seeks to support energy improvements in rural or remote areas in accordance with the Infrastructure Investment and Job Act. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law appropriates $1 billion to OCED for FY’s 2022 through 2026. This RFI must be submitted no later than 12:00 pm ET on November 28th, 2022 as an attachment in an email to ERA@hq.doe.gov.
For questions regarding this RFI, please reach out to Kelly Rogers at Kelly@hydro.org or Anthony Laurita at Anthony@hydro.org
Calling all marine energy researchers, engineers, developers, students, and policy-makers! Help us understand the US marine energy innovation ecosystem!
- The UMERC Annual Survey 2022 is now live. The purpose of this survey is to understand how foundational research for marine energy in the United States can be supported and integrated into the needs for the marine energy sector.
Interested in being on the MEC leadership team? Stay tuned for position expectations and the call for volunteers while we gear up for the MEC election cycle! If you have any questions, please reach out to Kelly Rogers (kelly@hydro.org)
Public Affairs Committee
Check back in the next edition to see what the Public Affairs Committee is working on
Pumped Storage Development Council
Check back in the next edition to see what the Pumped Storage Development Council is working on
Small Hydro Development Council
Committee leadership is working with NHA staff to provide input to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) about how to improve energy access to rural or remote areas of the U.S. The Infrastructure Investment and Job Act/Bipartisan Infrastructure Law appropriates $1 billion for the Office to spend on this work.
Council leadership sees this as a key opportunity for funding for the small hydro sector.
Request for information
DOE-FOA 2841: Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas. The DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) has issued an RFI for public input to help inform implementation strategies and funding processes. This RFI seeks to support energy improvements in rural or remote areas in accordance with the Infrastructure Investment and Job Act. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law appropriates $1 billion to OCED for FY’s 2022 through 2026. This RFI must be submitted no later than 12:00 pm ET on November 28th, 2022 as an attachment in an email to ERA@hq.doe.gov.
For questions regarding this RFI, please reach out to Kelly Rogers at Kelly@hydro.org or Anthony Laurita at Anthony@hydro.org
Regulatory Affairs Committee
- November 15th at 2 PM ET – Regulatory Affairs Committee.
- Please reach out to Michael Purdie at Michael@hydro.org for more information.
Markets Committee
November 10 – comments due on the FERC Duty of Candor Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
NHA is filing joint comments with the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the Electric Power Supply Association (EPSA), and a handful of other trade associations.
For specifics, reach out to NHA’s Director of Markets Michael Purdie at Michael@hydro.org.
Waterpower Innovation Council
Check back in next edition to see what the Waterpower Innovation Council is working on
Advocacy and Outreach
- Election Day 2022 is November 8th, please go out and vote
NHA New Member Spotlight
NHA is pleased to announce the following 5 companies that have joined NHA in recent weeks – read more about each company below and welcome them to the NHA family:
Consultants with Energy, LLC is a verified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). Hydropower is a core competency of business and our company’s DNA is a strongly connected bond between safety, integrity, tenacity, talent, and ethics.
CWE provides hydroelectric turnkey projects, tailored scope of work solutions and supplemental staff to your team during planned projects, emergent needs, peak periods as well as transitional periods.
We offer solutions for installation, commissioning, operations and maintenance, and can support balance of plant equipment. CWE supports greenfield sites as well as superior support for unit rehabs, retrofits, and upgrades.
Cutting Edge Onsite Machining provides in-place machining to make your project a success. We fulfill orders large and small from maintenance to challenging new designs and technical advancements. Our dedicated, well-trained, experienced field machinists are equipped and suited to set up tools and in-place machining options specific to your needs. Our onsite staff provides a variety of skill sets including Pre and Post Surveying, disassembly, welding, Machining, reassembly, and more. We use our state-of-the-art machining equipment, and we aim to complete every project safely, on time, and with unparalleled quality. Our company culture is deeply rooted in cultivating long-term relationships, which allow us to understand our customers’ needs fully. From simple maintenance projects to challenging new design projects.
Dawson & Associates is the nation’s premier firm for resolving complex challenges involving Federal water resources and environmental regulatory policy and procedures. Founded in 1997, D&A provides a powerful voice for its clients in the Federal environmental regulatory process working with our clients to analyze a situation, assess the risk, identify goals, and anticipate future challenges. D&A’s decades of successful leadership in USACE, EPA, DOI, Congress, and OMB produce unmatched knowledge, experience, and relationships. Our experienced leaders help develop and implement a timely, effective government relations strategy. Our approach, whether in the legislative process or through Executive Branch action or both, is to shape winning strategies that include reaching decision-makers and articulating a compelling, timely message. We recognize the importance of professional advocacy to help citizens participate in the governing process and to provide the compelling technically-based rationale needed to prevail.
Mercury Governor Group (MGG) is a Small Business with regional offices in New Cumberland, PA, and Kirkland, WA, comprised of two Principals and a group of contracted Governor Specialists, all with unrivaled hydro governor experience. The principals at MGG have over 75 years of collected experience in hydro governors, are active participants in IEEE and ASME technical committees, and have presented technical papers at domestic and international hydro conferences.
MGG specializes in supporting digital governor systems and hydraulic power units, offering on-site consultation, troubleshooting, re-programming, and upgrading. We support all Digital OEM brands: AGC, Emerson, GE, L&S, Voith, and Woodward. We offer Basic and Advanced digital governor training classes for all OEM digital governor or control systems and pioneered the use of desktop PLCs and laptops for simulated hands-on training.
Noria Energy is an advisory firm & solar developer specialized in floating solar projects and water quality.
Establishing strategic partnerships with its customers, engineering firms, equipment suppliers, R&D organizations and the finance community, Noria develops cost-effective, resilient Renewable Energy + Water solutions that generate long-term value and help businesses and communities meet their sustainability goals.
NHA’s membership is made up of more than 300 companies and organizations. Bookmark the online member directory for easy reference.
In Memoriam: Donald H. Clarke passed away on October 24, 2022.
In his professional life, Don was an attorney who worked tirelessly for hydropower and for the accessible, reasonable, and fair government. His contributions to NHA were numerous – he served as the association’s general counsel for many years.
In 1999, NHA bestowed Don with the Dr. Kenneth Henwood Award, the highest individual honor given in the industry.
In accepting the award, Don said: “I’ve always believed that the practice of law is basically an exercise in intelligent common sense. I’m the kind of person who basically likes to get things done. I see extremes on both sides, but you have to be willing to march in and try to get everyone toward the middle.”
NHA Congratulates
Mary Gail Sullivan, Northwestern Energy, for receiving the 2022 Dr. Kenneth Henwood Award
Do you know of NHA member organizations or employees working for those organizations who deserve a public pat on the back? Please share with marla@hydro.org.
Connect & Learn
How NHA is helping its members connect, learn, network, and do business with each other and the entire waterpower industry
Clean Currents by the Numbers!
The second edition of the annual “for the industry, by the industry” Clean Currents Conference + Tradeshow is now complete. Thanks to all who participated!
By the numbers:
- 6 Host Utilities
- More than 1,600 attendees (1 in every 3 was an asset owner)
- 18 countries represented
- 153 exhibitors
- 30+ sponsors
- 82 educational sessions
- 196 speakers
Read NHA Staff’s top takeaways from the week here.
Hundreds of photos for you to review, relive the week, and download for free can be found here.
Professional Development Hours (PDHs) certificates have been sent to all attendees.
Links to PPT slides are available in session details on the event website and on the event mobile app.
Now, on to 2023 for the Next Current!!
Mark your calendar for October 10-13, 2023, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
NHA staff looks forward to making this “by the industry, for the industry” annual event a “can’t miss” week of learning, networking, and conducting business.
Check out the “Connect & Learn” section of NHA’s POWERHOUSE media platform. New articles each week!
December 5-6, 2022: Southeast Regional Meeting
NHA is holding the first in-person Southeast Regional Meeting since Q1 2020! Connect with 180+ waterpower professionals on December 5-6 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Panels include:
- Electricity, Recreation, and Beyond: Capturing the Community Benefits of Hydropower
- Opportunities for New Project Development and Non-Powered Dams in the Southeast
- Where Does Pumped Storage Hydro Fit in a Changing Grid?
- Case Studies on Innovation, Modernization, and Workforce Challenges
- And more! Learn more here.
Hydro Academy: Optimizing Safety and Unit Protection
Grounding considerations and arc flash reduction techniques – Learn how to ensure operator safety and unit reliability and earn 2 PDHs! Register to join us for the Hydro Academy Course, taught by Eaton. December 5, Chattanooga, TN. Register here
Getting On Your Radar…
External Webinars:
November 3, 2:30 PM ET: Hydropower Vision: Join the Department of Energy in Reimagining the Roadmap. Register for the webinar here.
November 8, 4 p.m. ET: Informational Webinar on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Funding Opportunity Announcement 2801: Advancing Fish Passage and Protection Technologies. Register for the webinar here.
Operational Excellence Program (OpEx)
- Featured Event Report: Close Call Due to Hoist ChoiceRead the detailed event report.
- An OpEx Event Report is an event or near miss experienced by a hydropower operator related to its operations, maintenance, environmental performance, or safety (dam, employee, or public). Have an experience to share? Submit an Event Report at hydroexcellence.org.
The NHA member-only OpEx program is the hydropower industry’s only voluntary event reporting system that receives, distributes, archives, and catalogs operating experiences and resulting best practices and lessons learned.
Industry Job Opportunities
- Green Path Strategies is hiring an Event Coordinator
- Check out the new NHA Career Center!
Funding & Technical Assistance Opportunities
Sign Up to Receive Funding Notices from the U.S. Department of Energy – Register for the new list HERE
November 8, 2022: Informational Webinar; December 5, 2022: Concept Paper Due; March 27, 2023: Full Application Due
DOE FOA- 2801: Advancing Fish Passage and Protection Technologies. The DOE’s WPTO released a $4 million funding opportunity to reduce the environmental impacts of hydropower with research to enhance innovative fish passage and protection technologies. This funding opportunity seeks to advance the technology readiness level of innovative fish passage and protection technologies through testing to verify technologies’ biological effects and performance. WPTO estimates making up to five awards ranging between $500,000 and $1,300,000. There is an Informational Webinar on November 8th, 2022, at 4pm ET. Submissions for Concept Papers are due December 5th, 2022, by 5pm ET with full applications due March 27th, 2023, by 5pm ET. You can register for the webinar here.
November 17, 2022: Letter of Intent Due; December 15, 2022: Full Application Due
DOE FOA- 2802: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Pumped Storage Hydropower Wind and Solar Integration and System Reliability Initiative. The DOE’s WPTO issued a $10 million funding opportunity to support studies that facilitate the licensing and eventual construction and commissioning of new pumped storage hydropower facilities. Activities also support the broader, government-wide approach to create U.S. jobs if the proposed PSH projects progress toward construction and commissioning. Submission deadline for the letter of intent is November 17, 2022, at 5pm ET. Submission deadline for the full application is December 15th, 2022, at 5pm ET
December 1, 2022: Concept Paper Due; March 5, 2023: Full Application Due
DOE FOA- 2731: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Innovative Technologies to Enable Low-Impact Hydropower and Pumped Storage Hydropower Growth. The DOE’s WPTO issued a $14.5 million funding opportunity to further the sustainable development of hydropower and pumped storage hydropower. DOE anticipates making up to 13 awards under this funding opportunity. Submission deadline for Concept Papers is December 1st, 2022, at 5pm ET with full applications due March 5th, 2023, by 5pm ET.
