Issues Affecting Tidal, Wave, and In-Stream Generation Projects

摘要

The development technology that generates electricity from ocean waves, tides, and river currents is still in its infancy. However, Congress has provided some policy guidance on these energy sources through the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT05; P.L. 109-58). The act addresses this area of energy innovation by clarifying federal jurisdiction over, and encouraging the development of, these alternative energy sources. The act contains provisions for assessment of and reports on renewable energy resources by the Department of Energy; production incentives for renewable energy production; benchmarks for renewable energy purchases by federal facilities; and grants supporting rural electrification with preference given to renewable energy facilities. The act directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct research and development (R&D) programs for ocean energy, including wave energy and kinetic hydro generation projects, and amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to give authority to the Secretary of the Interior to grant leases on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) for the production of energy from sources other than oil and natural gas (while protecting existing authorities of other state or federal agencies).