This special edition of Hydro Review is being distributed at the National Hydropower Association’s Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. During the conference’s opening session, attendees are celebrating the hydro industry’s “big win” in 2013 – passage of two hydro-related pieces of legislation by huge margins in both the Senate and the House … at a time when lawmakers couldn’t agree on anything!
In my opinion, passage of these new hydro laws … at least in part … had to do with the industry “making its voice heard.” Staff at the National Hydropower Association (NHA) worked tirelessly for years to communicate with and educate lawmakers and their staffs; to build coalitions with stakeholders, NGOs and other associations; and to get the industry to reach out and speak up to the individuals representing them on Capitol Hill.
Making your voice heard matters.
In today’s world of instantaneous communication, it’s easy to share your opinions, comments, viewpoints and votes. And, in hydro, that’s exactly what we want to encourage you to do!
Taking a few minutes to make YOUR voice heard will make a difference … in the content you read on the pages of this magazine, the news coverage on www.HydroWorld.com and the Hydro Review mobile app, and what you watch on the new Hydro TV*.
Here are 3 ways you can make your voice heard:
1. Nominate a hydro plant for the Hydro Hall of Fame.
Hydro Review‘s editorial team seeks nominations of hydro plants for induction into the Hydro Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was set up to recognize extraordinary hydro achievement throughout the world, with a special emphasis on long-lasting facilities. To date, 33 plants have been inducted. Find the list at: www.hydroworld.com/index/hall-of-fame.html.
Do you know of a plant that’s been in continuous operation for 100 years or more? If so, make your voice heard. Fill out the nomination form at: www.hydroworld.com/index/hall-of-fame.html.
2. Add someone to the Wall of Honor.
At the upcoming HydroVision International event in Nashville, Tenn., U.S., in July, PennWell will display a “Wall of Honor,” paying tribute to military service personnel, past and present, around the world.
It’s easy to submit a name (colleague, friend, family member) to be placed on the wall. Find the submittal form at: www.hydroevent.com/wall-of-honor.html.
Lieutenant General Thomas P. Bostick, the commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will be in Nashville to help unveil the Wall of Honor at HydroVision International.
3. Connect with other hydro professionals on the HydroWorld LinkedIn Group.
598 hydro professionals (and counting!) are members of the HydroWorld Group on LinkedIn. Join today and push that group number over 600! Associate Editor Bethany Duarte recently wrote a great piece on the “Hydro Talk” blog about the use of social media in the workplace.
As Bethany describes, social media is a tool to build a community of individuals with like interests who want to quickly share ideas, ask questions and learn from one another.
Her closing line: “Let’s keep in touch. Let’s connect. Let’s build our community.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself!
Marla J. Barnes
Publisher and Chief Editor
*Hydro TV is a new video channel associated with the upcoming HydroVision International event. Check it out at: www.hydroevent.com/hydro-tv.html.
