Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition

MMS funds technical research to support offshore renewable energy ...

The US Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service (MMS) recently funded four research studies to identify technological and operational safety issues related to the future development of offshore renewable energy on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).
Offshore Shipping Online
 

To read more, view here: http://www.oilpubs.com/oso/article.asp?v1=9440

Interior Initiates Leasing Process for Commercial Wind Development on U.S. Outer Continental Shelf off Delaware:

U.S. Department of Interior, April 21, 2010

http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/Interior-Initiates-Leasing-Process-for-Commercial-Wind-Development-on-US-Outer-Continental-Shelf-off-Delaware.cfm

The Department of the Interior has taken the first step for leasing a wind energy project on the Outer Continental Shelf under the framework established by the Obama Administration, issuing the nation's initial Request for Interest for renewable energy development off the coast of Delaware, the First State. The framework established a program to grant leases, easements, and rights-of-way for orderly, safe, and environmentally responsible development of renewable energy as well as methods for sharing revenues generated from Outer Continental Shelf renewable energy projects with affected coastal states. Delaware officials have approved a proposal by Bluewater Wind Delaware, LLC for the construction of a new power plant to sell up to 200 megawatts of power from an offshore wind farm to the state's largest utility, Delmarva.

FERC Looks to Ease Development of Small Hydropower Projects:

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, April 15, 2010

http://www.ferc.gov/news/news-releases/2010/2010-2/04-15-10-A-5.asp

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is making its small hydropower licensing program more user-friendly today through a series of Web-based tools that will help developers understand the FERC licensing process, help improve coordination with other agencies, and help license applicants complete the process more quickly and efficiently. The resources will provide a roadmap that walks applicants through the process of selecting a project site, determining if a project is jurisdictional, selecting a FERC licensing process, consulting with stakeholders, and preparing a license or exemption application. In addition, Memoranda of Understanding with other agencies will be updated to improve coordination, and will employ a new outreach program to educate potential small hydro developers.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Research Is Bearish On U.S. Wind Demand:

Reuters, by Dana Ford, April 21, 2010

http://planetark.org/wen/57667

Demand for U.S. wind energy is likely to be sluggish in the coming years as power prices are low and a federal renewable energy mandate is unlikely, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Research. Wind is increasingly less competitive as power prices have dropped to between $40 and $50 per megawatt-hour -- some $20 less than what wind energy has historically sold for in recent years through purchase power agreements. U.S. wind demand could still take off if the federal government were to set a renewable portfolio standard, which would require utilities to get a certain amount of their power from renewable sources such as solar or wind. But passage of such a mandate looks unlikely and many states that have set individual standards have surplus renewable capacity.

U.S. Department of Energy Announces More Than $200 Million for Solar and Water Power Technologies:

U.S. Department of Energy, April 22, 2010

http://www.energy.gov/news/8874.htm

The U.S. Department of Energy has announced that it will invest more than $200 million over five years to expand and accelerate the development, commercialization, and use of solar and water power technologies throughout the United States. The investments include:

* Photovoltaic Manufacturing Initiative - up to $125 million over five years

* Photovoltaic Supply Chain Development - up to $40 million over three years

* Marine and Hydrokinetic Technologies - up to $39 million over four years.

Marine Renewables Fueling New Industries

According to New Energy Focus, liberal Democrats in the US are proposing to invest up to 400 million pounds in refurbishing UK shipyards to manufacture offshore wind turbines and marine renewables equipment.
And over in Scotland, renewable energy is contributing to growth in the oil and gas industry.  OilVoice.com reports that "sales into the Renewable Energy sector increased from £10.8m to £17.9m in 2008 and are expected to increase rapidly in the future."  According to Adrian Gillespie, Director of Energy and Low Carbon Technologies at Scottish Enterprise:

To read more, view here:  http://lawofficesofcarolynelefant.com/renewablesoffshore/?p=501

Fish and Wildlife Service Issues Guidance on Siting Wind Project 

On April 13, 2010, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service presented recommendations to Secretary Salazar of the Department of Interior on minimizing windfarms' impacts on wildlife and habitat, reports the Las Vegas Sun. The lengthy report issued by FWS recommends development of a tiered system for selecting project sites, evaluating project impacts and monitoring post-deployment impacts.
 
For more (including links to the FWS Report), view here: http://lawofficesofcarolynelefant.com/renewablesoffshore/?p=513

Wave on the Wires:

Wave energy still remains several years away from full blown commercialization.  But if all goes well for offshore wind, by the time wave energy projects come into their own, they should be able to bypass one of the hurdles currently facing offshore wind: lack of adequate offshore transmission.  Fortunately, on both sides of the Atlantic, work is underway to develop offshore transmission grids that will help integrate large amounts of offshore wind into the grid and deliver power to areas of high demand.

For more (including links to report on integration of offshore renewables), view here:  http://lawofficesofcarolynelefant.com/renewablesoffshore/?p=494

Carolyn Elefant, OREC Counsel, Named Influential Marylander for Work on Offshore Renewables

The Maryland Daily Record, www.mddailyrecord.com, Maryland's largest business and legal news publication, named OREC's Counsel, Carolyn Elefant as one of five Influential Marylanders in the "Law" category, in part for her work on offshore renewables.

For more, view here:  http://lawofficesofcarolynelefant.com/renewablesoffshore/?p=525

OREC Principals to Address International UNECSCO Conference on Oceans

Sean O'Neill, OREC President and Carolyn Elefant, Counsel to OREC, have been invited to speak on regulatory issues and financial incentives for marine renewables in the United States at Global Oceans Conference 2010 in Paris, France.  The conference is May 3-4, 2010. 

For more information on the conference, view here:  http://www.globaloceans.org/sites/udel.edu.globaloceans/files/pdfs/Draft-Conference-Program-April21.pdf

OREC Member Ed Feo of Milbank Tweed Publishes In Stanford Journal on Marine Renewables

Ed Feo, partner at OREC Member Firm Milbank Tweed, along with colleagues Josh Ludmir and Francisco Luna published an article entitled, Balancing the Right Regulation With Economic Incentives: The Government's Role in Marine Renewable Energy in the United States in the Stanford Law Journal of Law, Science and Policy (online April 2010). 

To view this comprehensive article, download here:  http://www.stanford.edu/group/sjlsp/cgi-bin/articles/index.php

OREC Counsel Drafts Summary of Global Permitting Requirements for IEA International Ocean Energy Report

Carolyn Elefant's chapter on Comparative Global Permitting Requirements for Marine Renewables was published in the IEA's Annual Report on Ocean Energy (2009).  To view Carolyn's chapter, click here - http://lawofficesofcarolynelefant.com/renewablesoffshore/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/CE_IEA_Rpt.pdf