Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Bill Introduced in Senate

On March 17th, Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich of Alaska introduced the "Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Promotion Act of 2011” (S. 630), which would authorize the Department of Energy (DOE) to expand its research and development on marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy. The bill calls for the creation of three testing facilities to be developed by states, universities, or non-profit entities to test marine hydrokinetic technology, and would establish a Federal Marine-Based Energy Device Verification program to certify the performance of new marine technologies. The bill would also authorize the Federal government to set up an adaptive management program and a fund to help pay for the regulatory permitting and development of new marine technologies.

Oregon at the Epicenter of Wave Energy Research and Development

Oregon is rapidly developing a reputation as a leader in wave energy research and development. Resources in the state include the O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Lab on the Oregon State University campus, the Oregon Wave Energy Trust, a state-funded group that's nurturing the wave energy sector and the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center, a joint program between OSU and Washington State University, including the Hinsdale lab.

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