[20081126]RS22721_波浪、潮汐和流内能源项目：哪个联邦机构领先？.pdf

Order Code RS22721Updated November 26, 2008Wave, Tidal, and In-Stream Energy Projects:Which Federal Agency Has the Lead?Nic LaneAnalyst in Natural Resources PolicyResources, Science, and Industry DivisionSummaryDevelopments in wave, tidal, and in-stream energy generation technologies alsoreferred to as hydrokinetic or marine energy are beginning to gain momentum. Atthe same time, their regulatory status is still evolving, as shown by recent changes in lawaimed at clarifying the federal role in ocean wave and renewable energy. Two federalagencies currently appear to have a lead role in offshore renewable energy projects. The Department of the Interiors Minerals Management Service (MMS) indicatesthat the Energy Policy Act of 2005, 388, gave it authority as the lead agency forprojects proposed on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). MMS is developing aregulatory framework and is not accepting applications for hydrokinetic (and otheralternative energy) projects until its rulemaking process is complete.The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued preliminarypermits and accepted license applications for hydrokinetic projects on the OCS and inthe near-shore ocean environment.