Our Mission
Headgate Strategies LLC is an advisory firm supporting public, private, and tribal organizations working across a Western water and power landscape defined by aging infrastructure, the accelerating realities of a changing climate, and increasingly complex governance and permitting demands.
Grounded in years of experience inside the Bureau of Reclamation, the Principal at Headgate Strategies pairs technical fluency with policy insight that not only brings an understanding of how hydropower and water systems operate, but how they’re regulated, financed, and governed. That dual lens equips clients to engage effectively with the federal agencies and institutions that manage these systems, whether the task is permitting a project on federal infrastructure, adapting operations to a changing climate, modernizing legacy assets, or advancing priorities amid competing interests.
At its core, Headgate Strategies helps clients move from complexity to clarity by enabling them to engage with confidence at the decision table and build solutions that earn broad and lasting support.
Actionable Strategy, Deep Expertise
We provide experienced advisory support that turns complex federal water and power dynamics into actionable strategy grounded in basin‑scale operational realities, creating durable alignment that moves initiatives forward.
Governance & Strategic Alignment
Policy & Regulatory Strategy
Infrastructure & Energy Modernization
Stakeholder Engagement
Strengthening organizational alignment, decision-making, and executive clarity for complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
Navigating federal processes, regulatory pathways, and policy transitions for effective agency engagement.
Advancing the reliability, resilience, and long‑term value of Western water and power assets while supporting the responsible development of new, low‑carbon energy resources.
Building durable coalitions and credible communication across diverse audiences for water and power initiatives in the Western US.
Unparalleled Federal Water & Power Experience
53
Hydropower Plants
15,000 MW
Capacity Managed
$1B+
Annual Budget Oversight
40,000,000 MWh/year
Fleet Generation
Figures reflect Michael Pulskamp's public service at the Bureau of Reclamation, not engagements through Headgate Strategies.
Bring senior‑level expertise to your most consequential water and power decisions.