Upper Mississippi River Hydroelectric Power Workshop set July 18

A workshop on July 18, “Hydropower, Hydro-potential in the Upper Mississippi River,” will examine the potential of hydropower energy in the Midwest.

Quad City-area non-profit River Action is organizing the event which will be held Tuesday, July 18, at Western Illinois University’s Riverfront Hall, at 3300 River Drive in Moline, IL.

The workshop is designed to bring together hydropower developers, dam owners,energy utilities, clean energy and environmental groups, and federal energy regulators to explore opportunities for the incorporation of hydropower into existing infrastructure in the Upper Mississippi River basin.

CLICK HERE to register online for the workshop. Early bird registration ($25) ends June 15.

The program will feature Jake Arnold, an environmental analyst from MidAmerican Energy, Jim Bartek, hydropower coordinator at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Rock Island district), and a representative from Rye Development (a Boston-based hydropower company).

Colin Wellenkamp, director the Mississippi Rivers and Towns Initiative (MRCTI) will also make a presentation with mayors and municipal administrators from potential hydropower sites in the UMR region.

The event is part of an effort to “Raise the Grade” of the Mississippi River and was one of the seven actions identified as a “priority objective” that emerged from the 2016 Upper Mississippi River Conference (UMRC) held last fall in the Quad Cities.

At the 10th annual UMRC (to be held Oct. 11-12, 2017), updates will be given on “Raise the Grade” efforts throughout the Upper Mississippi River basin.

Early registration for the workshop is $25 and some scholarships are available.