The Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce presents Power Hour, a program held monthly for area business and community leaders.

Our February presenter is Neil Jones, VP Real Estate, Direct Connect Development Company. The SOO Green HVDC Link is a first-of-its-kind electricity transmission project that will install state-of-the-art high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission cable underground along existing railroad corridors. SOO Green is pioneering an innovative model for developing transmission infrastructure to deliver renewable energy long distances to customers across the Eastern U.S. that virtually eliminates the visual, land and environmental impact of above-ground transmission lines. SOO Green will enable the development of new, low-cost renewable energy resources while enhancing the power grid’s reliability and resilience.
 
Neil Jones has over 17 years of project management experience in renewable energy, linear and telecommunications projects and has taken various leadership roles in the development of over 3,200 MW of operating wind generation and over 300 miles of operating high voltage electrical transmission lines. He has development experience in multiple electric power markets in areas of North America from Texas to North Dakota and from Ontario to California. Neil’s hands-on experience in the origination, planning, design, land acquisition, non-environmental permitting, crossing coordination, and final development/approval phases enable him to understand the many cross-functional and interrelated tasks required to bring a power project to fruition.
 
Neil began his power & energy career with NextEra Energy Resources (then FPLE) after a 12-year career in the USAF as a communications officer.  He began as a wind developer, developing multiple operating wind projects and supporting electrical generation ties until transitioning to lead NEER’s Midwest land team.  In his land role, he led a team of 26 land agents in the acquisition of nearly 2 million acres across 16 states in an 18-month period.
 
Since leaving NextEra Energy Resources, Neil has worked for Wind Capital Group as a wind developer and as a power & energy consultant for Kimley-Horn & Associates and Atwell.  In his consulting role, he has provided wind, solar, transmission and telecommunications developers with non-environmental permitting/crossing and land acquisition support.

Power Hour is an opportunity for local leaders to gain valuable insight from informative presentations on today's hottest news topics. Join us at Power Hour; Powerful Presentations for Business and Personal Success.