Low Impact Hydropower Institute

09/30/2026

Energy needs and river conservation don’t have to be an either/or conversation.

In a new guest essay for TribLive, LIHI Executive Director Shannon Ames looks at the opportunity Pennsylvania has to rethink how it uses and improves existing hydropower infrastructure.

The piece explores how investing in modern hydropower can support the Commonwealth’s energy needs while creating opportunities to improve environmental performance and better protect the rivers and communities connected to these facilities.

As Pennsylvania considers its energy future, Shannon asks us to look at what’s already in place—and how we can make it work better.

Read the full feature here: https://triblive.com/opinion/shannon-ames-modern-hydropower-pa-s-conservation-opportunity/

09/28/2026

More transparency is coming to the renewable energy market!

When you buy renewable energy, how much do you know about the project behind it?

CleanCounts is working to give energy buyers greater insight by adding new project-level information to its renewable energy certificate (REC) registry—including whether a hydropower project is LIHI Certified.

As LIHI Policy Director Surabhi Karambelkar explained, "“By making LIHI Certification visible in the CleanCounts registry, buyers can more easily identify hydropower projects that meet rigorous environmental criteria and deliver environmental improvements as well as megawatts.”

It’s an important step toward giving buyers more information to consider the environmental performance behind their renewable energy purchases.

09/16/2026

Rivers are a public resource — which is exactly why LIHI believes hydropower has to be held to a different standard than wind or solar.

Our Executive Director, Shannon Ames, breaks it down for Bluedot Living. It's a candid look at balancing renewable energy needs with real environmental stakes.

Give the full piece a read 👇

Hydropower is the largest source of carbon-free electricity in the world, but people disagree if it’s really “green energy.” Meet the people making sure it is.

08/25/2026

We’re grateful to share that LIHI has received a $5,000 grant from PwC to support our work.

For us, this support means more than funding. It means having another partner who sees the value in protecting healthy rivers, strengthening communities, and continuing to ask how hydropower can work better for both people and the environment.

We’re grateful that PwC believes in this work and is committed to helping us move our mission forward.

From all of us at LIHI, we thank you for your support!

08/24/2026

It’s National Hydropower Day, and this year’s theme has us asking one important question:

How do we make hydro work better—for people and for rivers?

For LIHI, hydropower works when its benefits are balanced with meaningful protections for communities and the environment.

That means healthy river flows and water quality. Fish and wildlife protection. Respect for cultural and historic resources. Recreation opportunities. And consideration of the communities connected to our rivers.

LIHI-certified facilities demonstrate every day that these outcomes are possible.

But making is not a finish line. It’s an ongoing commitment to better outcomes.

On this National Hydropower Day, we challenge you to take a moment to recognize not only what hydropower does, but also what we can do better, and to keep raising expectations for what responsible hydropower looks like.

08/12/2026

“Low impact hydropower” can raise eyebrows. After all, hydropower has historically had its ups and downs—so the skepticism is understandable.

When done responsibility, however, hydropower can be developed and operated in ways that prioritize healthy rivers, respect local communities, and balance energy production with environmental stewardship.

This short explainer video that breaks down the eight science-based criteria projects must meet to earn LIHI certification.

These criteria address environmental, cultural, and recreational considerations—and show what low-impact hydropower looks like in practice.

🎥 Watch the video to explore the 8 criteria and see low-impact hydropower in action:

Share this video and help spread the word to move the conversation forward!

08/10/2026

We have something special to share for our certificate holders!

The Certificate Holder Toolkit is here! 🎉

Did you know your certification can do more than you think? It can help minimize risk, strengthen community engagement, and even help you compete for RECs—and we've got a toolkit (and tutorials!) to help you make the most of it.

Check out Part 1 below 👇

Want more? Watch Part 2 here: https://youtu.be/X1bjpEUfWeY?si=9ldcym5wr_D-RWdu

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07/01/2026

🎉 We're celebrating 26 years of protecting rivers, supporting communities, and recognizing responsible hydropower! 🎉

Every river has a story. Every community has a voice. For the past 26 years, we've had the privilege of working with people across the country who believe clean energy should also protect the places we all care about.

Together, we've helped recognize hydropower facilities that prioritize healthy rivers, fish and wildlife, recreation, cultural resources, and the communities that depend on them. We've also created opportunities for people to participate in decisions that affect their local waterways—because every voice matters.

This anniversary isn't just about looking back. It's about looking ahead to the work still to come: protecting more rivers, strengthening more partnerships, and continuing to show that renewable energy and environmental stewardship can move forward together.

To everyone who has supported our mission—community members, Tribal Nations, conservation partners, facility owners, agencies, volunteers, and advocates—thank you for being part of our journey.

💙 Here's to the next chapter. Happy 26th birthday, LIHI!

06/30/2026

06/18/2026

Can renewable energy and healthy rivers coexist?

In a recent episode of Justice and Mercy Energy Services - JustEnergy podcast, Electric Equity featuring LIHI Executive Director Shannon Ames, the conversation explores what low-impact hydropower looks like in practice, how innovative fish passage technologies help support aquatic ecosystems, and why community voices play an important role in responsible energy development.

The episode also discusses:

💧 What makes hydropower "low impact"
🐟 How fish ladders, fish elevators, and even the "salmon cannon" work
⚡ Why hydropower remains important for energy access and grid reliability
🤝 How environmental protection and energy development can work together

Join the conversation and listen here: https://justiceandmercy.energy/hydropower.