For 36 years, Bill Smith has been helping hydropower developers navigate the arduous licensing process, and he expects to keep working another 20 years as the industry embarks on what he described as a new era of growth for hydropower. "I want to ride this next wave," said the white-bearded Smith. Smith was one of 574 hydropower professionals who attended the National Hydropower Association's 2011 Conference, held April 4-6 in Washington, D.C. Citing the conference's record attendance, Smith said he hasn't seen this much interest in building more hydro capacity since the hydro-power boom of the late '70s. "The excitement I see at this conference is like what we had back in '79, when everyone wanted to do something," said Smith, president of Hydropower International Services and former NHA president.
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