In this episode of Climate Positive, Gil Jenkins speaks with Malcolm Woolf, President and CEO of the National Hydropower Association (NHA). They discuss the current state of the U.S. hydropower industry, its role in providing carbon-free electricity, and the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. A central focus of the conversation is the hydropower relicensing process -- how it works, where projects can stall, and how lengthy reviews can delay investment, upgrades, and in some cases lead facilities to shut down.

Malcolm shares real-world examples to illustrate what’s at stake, while also exploring the potential to add generation to non-powered dams, the role of pumped storage in supporting grid reliability, and emerging marine energy technologies.

Links:

NHA WebsiteMalcom Woolf LinkedInNHA on LinkedInPress Release: The Hydropower Foundation and NHA Align to Strengthen Workforce Development EffortsArticle: US hydropower is at a make-or-break momentArticle: Google to buy up to 3 GW of hydro power from BrookfieldVideo: Whooshh Innovations' "Salmon Cannon" Gives Fish A Boost Over Dams

Email your feedback to Chad, Gil, Hilary, and Guy at climatepositive@hasi.com.

Folgen-ID: 1000750295172

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Erscheinungs­datum: 18.2.2026, 11:00:00