Renewable energy development - why this makes sense and at what costs

In my experience at more than 20 AFS Annual Meetings, this is an atypical session in that it includes waterpower advocates. With recent legislation and a keen focus and interest in renewable energy I thought it would be useful to facilitate a dialogue, in a professional venue, among these selected waterpower advocates and interested/affected AFS members. The 140th Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh is an especially good venue because much of the new waterpower development is or will be occuring in the Mississippi/Ohio drainage, and it is a hot topic at this time. After the presentations, we'll have an open discussion period of 30 - 50 minutes where good constructive interaction can take place. The goal is that the audience will gain some insight on the bases for new waterpower development, how waterpower based renewable energy stacks up against other renewables, what hurdles need to be overcome; I also hope that the presenters gain some insight into the legitimate concerns of those in the audience. I hope that you will join us for this constructive, maybe lively dialogue.