NWHA Annual Conference Agenda

Room: Discovery

Room: Hemlock/Oak

Room: Heritage

Join us for a networking session where attendees can connect with peers, industry leaders, and experts to exchange ideas, share experiences, and build new partnerships across the hydropower community.

What is the current administration doing to “unleash American energy,” and what does that really mean when it comes to hydropower — a renewable resource that’s been part of our nation’s energy story for generations, yet now faces aging infrastructure, environmental challenges, and shifting energy priorities?

This session takes a closer look at how hydropower fits into the bigger picture of American energy independence and the ongoing energy transition. You’ll hear how recent federal and state policy changes are shaping the future of hydropower — and what new opportunities and challenges this “unleashing” of energy could bring to the industry.

Join industry leaders and policy experts for a timely and engaging conversation about the evolving role of separated in America’s energy landscape.

Moderator: Michael Purdie
Speakers: 

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are transforming how hydropower operators and resource managers monitor, manage, and protect both natural systems and critical infrastructure. This panel explores the practical use of drone technology to collect and apply high-resolution spatial data for environmental monitoring, habitat management, and regulatory compliance. Panelists will share real-world case studies demonstrating how UAS are being used to map channel migration, support river restoration efforts, monitor wildlife habitat, and detect and treat noxious weeds—improving ecological outcomes, enhancing infrastructure protection, and increasing operational efficiency.  Moderator: Joe Hagengruber Speakers: Dakota Whitman and Aaron Utz

Room: Ash

It seems like every other day we are reading about a new SCOTUS decision that impacts the hydropower industry. This session will explore some of the most significant recent and ongoing legal cases impacting hydropower projects across the country. Experts will examine how litigation is shaping policy interpretations, influencing licensing outcomes, and affecting project timelines and operational flexibility. From nationwide injunctions to NEPA and 401 water quality certifications, attendees will gain insight into key court decisions, emerging legal trends that could impact project development, operation, and compliance.

Moderators: Elizabeth McCormick
Speakers: Jenna Mandell-Rice 

Hemlock/Oak

Join us for an evening reception to network with colleagues, connect with industry leaders, and continue the day’s conversations 

Join us for morning coffee

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more deeply integrated into energy, infrastructure, and environmental sectors, organizations must navigate a complex landscape of legal, regulatory, and cybersecurity risks. This session will examine the key considerations for deploying AI responsibly and securely—ranging from data privacy and intellectual property concerns to liability, transparency, and compliance with emerging regulations. The speaker will also address the cybersecurity implications of AI systems, including vulnerabilities, threat detection, and the risk of adversarial attacks. Whether you're adopting AI tools for operations, analysis, or communications, this session will provide practical guidance on safeguarding your systems and staying on the right side of the law in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Moderators: Alison Grounds

Speakers

Moderators: Leska Fore

In 2018, FERC rescinded the Form 80 filing requirement, which had mandated monitoring of and reporting on the use and development of recreational facilities at all federally licensed hydroelectric developments on a regulated six-year cycle. Today, in place of the Form 80 requirement, many developments have project-specific license conditions that support recreation monitoring, though requirements often vary between licenses. This panel presentation will include discussion of ongoing recreation visitor monitoring efforts by two Washington utilities in the post-Form 80 era and will delve into the importance of recreation monitoring and the benefit it provides in the hydropower realm.

Moderators: Kim McMahon
Speakers: Michael Aronowitz and Kylie Vroman

Join a panelist in presentation of how artificial intelligence (AI) interfaces with Hydro generation. The session will start with an overview of current AI (Narrow through Quantum). Then discuss the energy needs and the load characteristics of data centers. Followed by the application of AI in the Hydroelectric Energy sector and legal issues associated with reliance of AI results.

Moderators: Brent Denham
Speakers: Kumar Prabakar, Josh Gile, and Joe Paul

Room TBA

Room TBA

From updates to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Clean Water Act (CWA) to shifting interpretations of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Section 401 certifications, recent changes to federal regulations are reshaping the regulatory landscape for hydropower projects. This session will provide an overview of the most significant regulatory reforms affecting hydropower development, licensing, and compliance. Experts will explore how these changes are influencing project timelines, stakeholder engagement, environmental review, and long-term operational certainty. Attendees will gain insights into the evolving roles of federal and state agencies, practical implications for existing and new projects, and strategies for navigating the new regulatory terrain. Whether you’re in planning, legal, operations, or policy, this session will help you understand what’s changing—and what it means for the future of hydropower.

Moderators: Andrea Wortzel
Speakers: Michael Campbell, Cherise Gaffney, and Margaret (Mag) Lee

Moderator: Ram Veeraghaven

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