| North America


Far left: The Freedom Falls Project on Sandy Stream in Freedom, Maine – LIHI Certificate No. 178


Left: The Cavendish Project on the Black River in Cavendish, Vermont – LIHI Certificate No. 97


Below: An illustration of the LIHI Criteria including general description


dams. While the approach differs (LIHI is outcome based while the HSS is process based), the purpose and goals of each programme are similar, and there is significant overlap in each programme’s certification criteria.


At the national scale, the increased need for climate change mitigation measures has spurred renewed interest in incentivising environmental improvement in the renewable energy realm. LIHI has taken a leading role in the Uncommon Dialogue process led by Stanford University and the Energy Futures Initiative, working with hydropower leaders, environmental stewards, and national stakeholders to find common ground on key issues the US hydropower fleet faces. The US Department of Energy Waterpower


Technologies Office has also called upon LIHI’s expertise on numerous occasions, requesting input on the Hydropower Vision Report, development of relicensing tools, and the development of new standard modular hydropower. The LIHI criteria have been cited as benchmarks for developers to help design projects that meet the programme’s standards. Though a small institution, LIHI dedicates significant time and resources to participate in local, regional, and national discussions, helping to develop the discourse around hydropower’s role in a carbon free future and the pedagogy around its impacts and benefits. Over the past twenty years, the LIHI certification


programme has consistently met the LIHI mission but, as with any program, LIHI strives to improve and to make a bigger impact. Through programme enhancements, including continual reassessment of our criteria and standards, and expansion of our outreach efforts, LIHI hopes to increase the amount and positive impact of hydropower improvements, increase the number of facilities in the program, and provide high quality information to stakeholders. This year, the governing board and staff have been taking a deeper look at LIHI’s role internationally, climate adaptation efforts of hydropower owners, and ways to encourage comprehensive stakeholder involvement. LIHI constantly strives to find more opportunities to engage with stakeholders across the country and ensure that information on LIHI certified hydropower is included in discussions of proposed national renewable or clean energy policies. The use of LIHI certification, either directly or


indirectly, in defining eligible hydropower in renewable policy programs demonstrates its influence in shaping public policy. Local ecosystems are essential for a healthy climate, and hydropower owners that are actively working to limit their impacts and safeguard


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the environment should receive recognition. Through its website, application process, and outreach activities, LIHI has opened the door to digestible, independent information on at least a portion of hydropower in the US.


Controversial Hydropower in the US continues to be a controversial


renewable energy source. Though it utilises a renewable resource, some argue that it impacts surrounding ecosystems too dramatically to be relied on as the US takes steps to decarbonise its energy grid. However, it is easy to overlook its many benefits in a decarbonized energy future. As intermittent energy sources such as wind and solar power continue to come online, the need for baseload renewable power sources becomes ever more important to a clean energy future. Low Impact Hydropower can fill that role, with some facilities providing additional services like black start capability, storage capability, flood control, and recreation. LIHI certification provides an independent, science-based analysis of a hydropower project’s impacts on its ecosystem, assuring power purchasers, policymakers, and stakeholders around the country that the hydropower they rely on has integrated their operations with the communities that they serve. It is not simply a mark of assurance; LIHI certification incentivises the growth of a climate solution that integrates consideration of socio-environmental factors. Hydropower can play a vital role in a decarbonized future if it integrates sustainable management of the resources it relies on. ●


Author details:


Whitman Constantineau, LIHI Programme Coordinator – wconstantineau@ lowimpacthydro.org


Maryalice Fischer, Certification Programme Director – mfischer@ lowimpacthydro.org


Shannon Ames, Executive Director – sames@lowimpacthydro.org


Below: A map detailing the locations of LIHI Certified facilities across the United States


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