Neshkoro / Wisconsin / United States
In the fast growing field of alternative energy development, co-generation and small power production hydroelectric power generation continues to provide valuable service and offers tremendous additional potential in terms of its reliable, "non-polluting", "inflation-proof" contribution to the national energy picture. William Harris and Chuck Alsberg recognized this potential for additional capacity as early as 1978 when they incorporated North American Hydro Company. Employed as electrical field engineers for a Wisconsin electric utility, Harris and Alsberg were afforded the opportunity to travel the utilitys service area. During the course of those travels, they became fascinated with the prospects for revitalizing the many small hydroelectric plants they found abandoned across the Wisconsin countryside. Shortly after incorporating and acquiring their first hydroelectric plant, Harris and Alsberg resigned from the electric utility for the purpose of pursuing their goal of hydro plant development and ownership on a full-time basis.
