Communication Strategies for Uniting the Thermal Discharge Researchers, Regulators and Regulated Communities

Despite nearly 40 years of  thermal regulatory requirements under the Clean Water Act, a significant void remains among scientists, regulated industries, regulators, educators and opposing groups on how thermal discharges affect aquatic biota and habitat in receiving waters. This void is not a result of disinterest or a lack of effort, but more likely due to ineffective communication among these groups in describing their innovative approaches, research endeavors, findings, and conclusions and results of thermal research as they try to understand thermal impacts. This talk will highlight some observed disconnections in communications among the like-interested thermal impact communities and provide examples of ways to bring together the individuals and entities interested in exchanging thermal information.