---

 

US Hydropower Update

 

August 2004

 

·        US Hydropower Makes a Splash at Hydrovision 2004!

 

·        US Hydropower Receives Funding for USDOE/USAID Cooperative Agreement for Public Private Sector Partnership on Hydropower

 

·        US Hydropower Receives Congressional Support on Capitol Hill

 

 

 

US Hydropower Makes a Splash at Hydrovision 2004!

US Hydropower held its Board of Directors meeting in the Palais des Congres de Montreal at HydroVision on Tuesday, August 17^th at 9:00 a.m.  The general membership, as well as potential members, were encouraged to attend.  The primary focus of the meeting was to review US Hydropower’s planned activities in emerging markets during the next year.  With increased support from the US government, we are in a position to intensify and expand our support for hydropower development worldwide.    We heard from our member companies about how we can best support your international business plans.  If you’re a potential member, we’d like to know what kinds of international activities you are interested in and explain the benefits of joining the US Hydropower Council for International Development.

 

The Worldwide Hydro Forum:  Moving Projects Forward in Emerging Markets, an important roundtable discussion at Hydrovision was held on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.  This forum was intended to allow stakeholders including representatives from the private and public sector, the international finance and NGO community an opportunity to continue discussions which were started at the World Bank meeting organized by US Hydropower in September 2003.  At the meeting last fall, participants identified market barriers and issues associated with water and energy development.  During this session, participants used case studies in the Philippines, India, and Guatemala as examples of the potential challenges and solutions which are being used in emerging markets to efficiently incorporate the ancillary benefits of hydropower.  This session was intended to be a roundtable informal discussion.  Participants and speakers were given ample time to interact and discuss the unique development priorities that hydropower can offer, and some efficient ways of facilitating that discussion among stakeholders.

 

On Wednesday, August 18, 2004 5:00-7:00 p.m. US Hydropower hosted a Cocktail Reception where members and representatives of the international hydropower community met each other and welcomed guests for around the world.

 

US Hydropower Success in Establishing a Cooperative Agreement to Support a 3-year Public Private Sector Partnership on Hydropower--

 

Over the past several months, US Hydropower has been working with USAID and USDOE to put a multiyear Cooperative Agreement in place to support funding for industry activities.   This increased funding support will allow US Hydropower and member companies an opportunity to expand programs and enter new markets.  The partnership will support trade and reverse trade missions, prefeasibility activities, trade events, policy work and the collaboration on financing hydropower projects and services.  We encourage you to get involved, and help steer this exciting new industry partnership.

 

US Hydropower Receives Congressional Support on Capitol Hill--

 

In June, the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Operations Subcommittee included report language to support a $3 Million annual program with USAID for US Hydropower’s Public Private Partnership on Hydropower.   The Omnibus Bill currently being drafted in the U.S. Senate also includes support for the partnership.  The Appropriations Bill is expected to be passed this fall, after the U.S. Congress returns from August recess. 

 

US Hydropower industry efforts with U.S. Congressional representatives and their staff  will be expanded in 2005.  The new USDOE/USAID Cooperative Agreement will require support from both the Foreign Operations and Energy & Water subcommittees on appropriations. 

 

Upcoming Events

 

In September 2004 US Hydropower representative will be meeting with USAID –Brazil Mission representatives to discuss setting up Brazil partnership with USHC

 

In September 2004 US Hydropower representatives will be meeting representatives from US and Guatemalan private sector, Representatives from OPIC, the Guatemalan energy market administrator, and other key energy policymakers.

 

In September 2004 US Hydropower representatives met representatives the USDOE to discuss activities we will undertake under our new cooperative agreement.  We will be meeting with the new Assistant Secretary for International policy in the next few weeks.

 

In September 2004 US Hydropower representatives will be meeting representatives from ANEEL and Ministry of Mines and Energy to discuss changes following new law last April and find information on rules for rehabilitation projects.

 

In September 2004 US Hydropower representative will be meeting representatives  from CERPCH in Minas Gerias, Brazil to discuss rehabilitation targets and begin process  of gathering further information.

 

In October US Hydropower will make a presentation on support to energy and water projects at the Hydro 2004 Conference in Porto, Portugal. 

 

  

---

  

US Hydropower also maintains a website of information on US Hydropower activities and initiatives including a weblink to the GTN website.  The US Hydropower website can be found at www.us-hydropower.org  The site is available in English, Spanish, and Hindi.

 

Your comments or requests for more information are welcome. Please contact US Hydropower’s Director of Trade Promotion, Debby Stone 202.383.2536 or by Email: debbys@us-hydropower.org