An Update from NHA's CEO: Sept 2020 (Q3)
The hydropower industry has responded to the challenges of 2020 with vigor, protecting our colleagues through workplace sequestering, keeping the lights on, and even stepping up to provide much needed power to California during the recent heat waves and wildfire-induced disruptions.

Yet perhaps the most compelling story to date came from Oregon with the news this week that Mike Pomeroy, a USACE dam operator, is being credited with helping to protect the water supply of Salem, Oregon after having been trapped in the Detroit Dam for two days during the Beachie Creek wildfire. On behalf of the entire industry, way to go Mike!
With NHA’s Q3 Board meeting completed last week, here are my top 5 takeaways:
1: National Hydropower Day Reaches Over 11 Million
The second annual National Hydropower Day received over 11.6 million impressions on social media, with over 115 companies, organizations and government agencies participating. We upped the ante this year by adding National Hydropower Day LIVE! featuring live discussions with industry and government hydropower leaders. Thanks to all of you for making National Hydropower Day such a success!

NHA has also launched a new effort, the Path to Clean Energy, to raise the visibility of the hydropower industry among energy policy thought leaders. We hosted our inaugural Path to Clean Energy Virtual Event, “What’s After Renewable Portfolio Standards?” in partnership with the National Association of State Energy Officials, attracting over 450 participants. The webinar featured a discussion with U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), chair of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. In addition, we launched the first two issues of the Path to Clean Energy newsletter, targeting over 5,500 energy policy professionals beyond the hydro industry.
2: Upcoming Virtual Events Include Hydraulic Power Month, NW & CA Regional Meetings 
While saddened that the pandemic is preventing in-person industry gatherings, NHA is continuing to offer high-quality programs. Over 100 people participated in our virtual Northeast Regional Meeting in July and almost as many in our August Alaska meeting, which featured Senator Lisa Murkowski as the Opening Keynote Speaker.
 
Looking forward, October is Hydraulic Power Month, along with our Northwest Regional Meeting, and December is our California meeting. We are putting together great agendas for each of these virtual meetings, so please register now! 

We all hope we can meet in person again in 2021. In addition to Waterpower Week in Washington and the International Conference on Ocean Energy in April, we are excited to be launching NHA’s new Clean Currents conference and trade show in Atlanta in October 2021. Exhibit space is going fast so reserve your space here. 
3:  Fundamental License & Relicensing Reforms Finalized; Litigation Begins
Long overdue changes to the hydropower licensing and relicensing process have recently been finalized under NEPA, the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act 401 water certification process. Yet each regulation must first survive legal challenge.
 
While each rule is important, the revised 401 water certification holds the greatest potential to reduce the cost and length of the hydropower licensing process. As such, NHA has taken the extraordinary step of petitioning to be a party in the primary legal challenge to ensure that the hydropower industry’s unique voice is at the table as litigation and negotiations continue.
 
Thanks to many of member companies who have already agreed to a voluntary special assessment to defray the litigation costs. If your company may be able to contribute, please let me know!
4:  NHA Continues Advocacy on Capitol Hill and in RTO-ISO Markets
COVID and election year politics have stymied most legislation this year. NHA has made progress in several areas, though few of these measures are expected to become law this year:

  • The House enacted the Growing Renewable Energy and Efficiency Now (GREEN) Act that would provide a 5-year extension of existing hydro tax credits, with a direct payment provision to benefit public power members and a new ITC for energy storage, including pumped storage;

  • Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-OR) introduced the Hydropower Clean Energy Future Act to streamline the licensing and relicensing process;

  • Rep. DeGette (D-CO) introduced a revised version of her bill to create a 100% Clean Energy Standard by 2050 that recognizes that hydropower has a carbon intensity of zero, just like wind and solar; and

  • The House passed an Energy and Water bill funding the DOE Waterpower Technology Office at $145.5 million, a record.
 
NHA’s Market Strategy Committee is deepening its engagement on critical RTO proceedings. Key examples include NHA’s comments in CAISO’s resource adequacy proceeding to advocate for better rules for hydro and pumped storage, and our comments in NY’s Clean Energy Standard proceeding pushing for equal treatment of hydropower. 
5: Continued Dialogue With Climate and River Community
NHA’s ability to make progress on key priorities - ranging from license reform, valuation of hydropower in energy markets, or tax parity – will be made easier if the industry was able to reach a more constructive relationship with the river and climate communities. NHA continues to explore opportunities for joint cooperation with groups such as American Rivers, the Hydropower Reform Coalition, the Nature Conservancy, and the Union of Concerned Scientists.
 
Motivated by our mutual interest in addressing climate change, we are seeking recognition of hydropower’s role as an important renewable energy resource and an essential part of a climate solution. I hope to be able to report tangible progress in this effort in the coming weeks. 

Malcolm