Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Sonoma Coast Hydrokinetic Energy Project | Public Meetings





Sonoma Coast Hydrokinetic Energy Project

September 9 - Gualala Community Center
47950 Center St., Gualala

September 16 - Jenner Community Center
10398 Hwy 1, Jenner

Time: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

The Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) will hold public meetings to discuss the Sonoma Coast Hydrokinetic Energy Project (SCHEP) and to receive public input.

On July 7, 2009, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved three Preliminary Permits that will allow SCWA to conduct feasibility studies for a hydrokinetic energy project at three locations off the Sonoma County Coast. At this meeting, SCWA will provide a formal presentation on preliminary project information, discuss timelines and receive public input.

Comments may be submitted thereafter to the Capital Projects Manager of Sonoma County Water Agency, PO Box 11628, Santa Rosa, CA 95406.
For more information about this meeting visit www.sonomacountywater.org, or contact Brad Sherwood, Public Information Officer, at 707.547.1927 or brad.sherwood@scwa.ca.gov or Amy Bolten, Public Information Officer, at 707-547-1981 or amy.bolten@scwa.ca.gov.



More info from the Sonoma County Water Agency can be found here

Monday, August 24, 2009

FERC Signs Tidal Power Agreement With Maine

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) said on August 19 it had signed an agreement with the State of Maine to coordinate on the development of projects that generate power from tides, marking the first such agreement on the technology for the U.S. East Coast.

Previously FERC signed agreements on tidal power with the states of Oregon and Washington.

More

Friday, August 7, 2009

MMS, FERC Issue Guidance on Wave, Tide, and Current Projects

On August 4, the Interior Department's Minerals Management Service (MMS) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) jointly released their MMS/FERC Guidance on Regulation of Hydrokinetic Energy Projects on the OCS. The new guidance document explains general requirements, lease and license procedures, lease and license terms, financial assurance requirements, fee structures, and other pertinent information for the development of the OCS. Regarding hydrokinetic energy projects in the OCS, MMS has authority over site leases and FERC has authority over operating licenses.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Offshore Renewable Energy Regulatory Primer

The National Sea Grant Law Center has published Offshore Renewable Energy - Regulatory Primer (PDF, 590 KB), which presents basic regulatory information related to offshore wind, wave, tidal, and ocean thermal energy conversion projects. It also provides brief discussions on state authority, local concerns, and an emerging alternative management framework—marine spatial planning.

Friday, July 31, 2009

Ocean Current Energy in Florida


Is the ocean Florida's untapped energy source?

The answer to easing the energy crunch in one of the nation's most populous states could lie underwater.

Imagine if your utility company could harness the ocean's current to power your house, cool your office, even charge your car. Researchers at Florida Atlantic University are in the early stages of turning that idea into reality in the powerful Gulf Stream off the state's eastern shore.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Saving $1.2 Trillion through Energy Efficiency



Part of making a transition to alternative energy and getting off of carbon-emitting fossil fuels will be to become more efficient with our energy use.

A new report from the consulting firm McKinsey found that a upfront investment in energy efficiency through relatively simple efforts such as sealing leaky building ducts and replacing inefficient household appliances with new, energy-saving models could save up to $1.2 trillion dollars through 2020.

This investment in energy efficiency could cut the country’s projected energy use in 2020 by about 23 percent — a savings that would be “greater than the total of energy consumption of Canada,” said Ken Ostrowski, a senior partner in McKinsey’s Atlanta office, at a press event in Washington this morning.

Read more here...

Monday, July 13, 2009

Wave Energy Report - Regulatory Framework

The Oregon Wave Energy Trust (OWET) has released a new report that summarizes the regulatory framework for State and Federal permitting of wave energy projects click here. The report is an informational tool for stakeholders involved with the regulatory process. It identifies the most relevant state and regulatory requirements, explains the authorization process, and identifies the lead and participating agencies for each authorization. Also, on Sept 15-16, OWET is hosting the 2009 Ocean Renewable Energy Conference in Seaside, OR. For more info and to register click here.