“I believe that hydropower, our oldest and most reliable renewable energy resource, holds a valuable place as we strive to achieve a clean, balanced, and sustainable generation portfolio. Those who conceived and built the hydroelectric generating systems created a sustainable and reliable energy source that has lasted for more than a century and will continue for another century to come. Our responsibility as caretakers is to strive to improve and maintain it continuously.”

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Steve Poteet has 45 years of hydropower-specific experience and specializes in mechanical engineering related to hydropower facilities, including hydro unit overhauls and uprates, gates, penstocks, cranes/hoists. He has experience with hydro unit uprate studies and implantation, heavy equipment and material handling equipment, fire protection and life safety assessments and projects, and balance of plant equipment. Steve is experienced in studies, design, and construction of new plants and upgrading of existing plants. He has led operational and root cause investigation teams, corporate programs, and assess asset management initiatives, and has extensive experience managing technical staff. Steve has supported more than 50 hydro and pumped storage overhaul and upgrade studies and projects. 

Steve holds a B.S. in Engineering from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Michigan. He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Chattanooga Section Executive Committee, past chair, and a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Steve was named Chattanooga Area Engineer of the Year in 2021.