JOIN A COMMITTEE
​Members of NWHA are encouraged to participate on committees of interest. Contact NWHA staff to join a committee.

Technical Committee

The Technical and Operations Committee focuses on a wide range of topics including dam safety, maintenance of equipment, unit commissioning, asset management, and other issues related to hydropower operations.  Our biggest goal is to put on a successful Technical Workshop in the spring co-located with the Owners Forum.  We also work on getting technical content into the annual conference and webinars.

John Chandler, Chair
Puget Sound Energy
TEL (425) 407-3068

Dale Campbell, Co-Chair
Grant County PUD
TEL (509) 430-5821

Energy Transition Committee

The committee works to promote the energy transition to a carbon free grid within the NWHA territory through education, legislative action, and advocacy.  The committee is involved in creating white papers, educating state Public Utility Commissions, and holding workshops to provide space for members to find shared solutions and best practices integrating our hydropower resources of conventional and pumped hydro with carbon free emitting technologies including but not limited to wind, solar, nuclear, hydrogen, batteries, and flywheels.  

Brent Denham, Chair
PacifiCorp
​TEL (503) 813-6623

Matt Pevarnik, Vice-Chair
GE Renewable Energy
TEL (303) 730-4010

New Professional Chapters

NWHA Members who are new to the hydropower community are invited to connect, network and attend trips to visit projects in their state.  

Portland, Oregon Chapter
Brenna Vaughn
NWHA
​TEL (503) 502-7262

Idaho Chapter
Anthony DeSantis
McMillen

Fred Noland
Idaho Power Company 
TEL (208) 388-6492

Seattle/Bellevue, Washington Chapter
Chris Townsend
Seattle City Light
​TEL (206) 386-4571

Olivia Smith
Kleinschmidt Associates

California Chapter
Sam Braun
Pacific Gas & Electric
​TEL (916) 903-9935

Legislative & Regulatory Committee

​The Legislative& Regulatory Committee recommends actions to the NWHA board on legal issues or regulatory rulemaking. The committee has historically made recommended amicus filings, participated in rulemakings and helped update membership on legal and regulatory current affairs. 

Andrea Wortzel, Chair
Troutman Pepper
TEL (804) 697-1406

Finlay Anderson, Vice-Chair - Regulatory 
Kleinschmidt Associates 
TEL (503) 345-0517 

Jenna Mandell-Rice, Vice-Chair - Legislative
Van Ness Feldman
TEL (206) 829-1817

 

Natural Resources Committee

The committee's focus is to provide a forum for hydro-focused natural resource professionals to explore topical and technical aspects of environmental resource project implementation, share successful strategies, and proactively address potential implications of new technologies and legislative developments. ​

Chris Townsend , Chair
Seattle City Light 
TEL (206) 386-4571

Andrew Welch, Co-Chair
NorthWestern Energy
TEL (406) 444-8115

Annette Pearson, Co-Chair
Seattle City Light
TEL (206) 386.4542

Women in Hydropower

The mission of Women in Hydropower (WinH) is to promote the professional development and advancement of women in the field of hydropower. WinH seeks to expand opportunities for women through networking, mentoring, and education. Women and men from across the nation are welcome to participate in our events and programming.  Come join us at our WinH lunch programs during the Annual and Regional Conferences and watch for our networking pop-ups in your area. We will also host two virtual WinH so please let us know if you want to be on the mailing list.

Heidi Wahto, Chair
Stantec 
TEL (425) 602-3514

Barbara Craig, Co-Chair
Stoel Rives, LLP
​TEL (503) 318-6048

Small Hydro Committee

The Small Hydro Committee conducts an annual workshop, concentrating on small hydro-related issues such as FERC processes, financing mechanisms, equipment and technology upgrades, green credits, and opportunities for improved market positions. The Small Hydro Committee can also assist small hydro operators with public messaging and direct communication with elected officials on how to support small hydro development in the region.  The committee encourages NWHA members and non-members to reach out about their small hydro interests throughout the year, to help us provide assistance and keep current with industry needs.

Fred Noland, Chair
Idaho Power Company
TEL (208) 388-6492
    
Diane Barr, Vice-Chair 
Camas, LLC
TEL (541) 261-4886

Communications Committee

The committee focuses on outreach and advocacy among four main sectors: general public, schools, media, and elected officials. The committee meets every other month.  

Jeanne Finger, Chair
City of Spokane
TEL (509) 742-8165

Sheila Corson, Vice-Chair
Mason County PUD
TEL (360) 432-5295

Schree Tramel, Vice Chair
Mesa Associates
TEL (423) 424-7242