Uncommon Dialogue | Hydropower, River Restoration, and Public Safety
Work Products
The following core documents and work products were collaboratively developed by members of the Uncommon Dialogue. They do not represent all perspectives and participants involved in the working groups or the Dialogue writ large.
October 2020: Joint Statement of Collaboration (October 2020)
Phase I of the Uncommon Dialogue culminated in the release of the Joint Statement in October 2020. The Joint Statement identifies goals and focus areas for Phase II of the Uncommon Dialogue.
April 2021: Infrastructure Proposal (April 2021)
Uncommon Dialogue participants developed and signed on in support of an Infrastructure Proposal. The document summarizes spending recommendations focused on four critical U.S. infrastructure needs. It was used for Congressional and agency outreach and contributed to the inclusion of the 3 Rs (rehabilitation, retrofit, and removal) in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill.
April 2022: Proposed Federal Power Act Revisions on Dam Licensing, Relicensing and License Surrender
Uncommon Dialogue participants representing the hydropower industry, the environmental community and Tribes drafted a package of joint recommendations for legislative reform of sections of the Federal Power Act covering dam licensing, relicensing, and license surrender. The package, in development for more than a year, reflects the groups' shared goals of enhancing the health of river ecosystems, respecting the rights of Tribes, and providing greater regulatory certainty for hydropower facilities. The package was sent to Congressional leaders on April 4, 2022 (read a summary and the transmittal letter).
2022-2024 Working Group Products:
- Innovative and Advanced Hydropower Technology Can Improve Environmental Performance, Generation Efficiency, and Grid Resilience
- Innovations and Advancements in Technology Can Improve Environmental Sustainability, Dam Safety, and Hydropower Operations
- Dam Safety and Removal Concept Paper
- A Basin-Scale Approach to Planning and Licensing: Options, Considerations, and Recommendations Outline
- Enhanced Environmental Performance at Hydropower Facilities White Paper
- Stakeholder Proposal to Modernize Licensing of Hydropower Projects Under the Federal Power Act
- Plan to Disseminate BIL Educational Materials to Hydropower Stakeholders
- Materials to Educate Hydropower Stakeholders About the Various Programs That Will Be Distributing Funds From the BIL for Dam Removal, Retrofits, and Safety Improvements
- Workforce Data Roadmap Data, Gaps and Recommended Actions
- HydropowerConnect: Connecting Existing Programs and the Future Hydropower Workforce through a Collaborative Approach
2025 Working Group Products:
- Innovations and Advancements in Technology to Improve Fish Passage. Hybridization, and Security
- Dam Safety Action Plan
- Basin-Scale Resource Guide and Outreach Plan
- Indirect Mitigation White Paper Outline
- Stakeholder Perspectives on Reservoir Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Hydropower Flexibility Valuation Tool Performance Report and Outreach Plan
- New Market Mechanisms White Paper
- Careers that Power the Future Brochure
- Mentorship White Paper