NHA shows support at FERC conference for expedited licensing proposal for ocean, tidal, instream projects

The FERC proposal, announced in July, is designed to complete the licensing of ocean, tidal, wave and instream hydrokinetic projects in as few as six months. Among other things, the process allows for these emerging technology generators to produce power while still testing. FERC is hosting the workshop to answer questions and receive feedback related to the proposal.

NHA has more than 30 member companies that compose its Ocean, Tidal, and New Technologies Council – a group that is actively pursuing potential development of waterpower resources. Representatives from many of those companies will be attending, along with NHA Executive Director Linda Church Ciocci, who is one of several panelists.

“There’s no doubt that through development of hydrokinetic energy—whether from oceans, tides, waves or rivers— we can produce a great amount of clean, climate-friendly, renewable energy,” said Church Ciocci. “There is more than energy to be harnessed; there is also the spirit of innovation. FERC is proposing a regulatory process that encourages the development of these evolving technologies in a real-world environment and that is precisely what the industry needs to thrive.”

FERC Commissioner Philip Moeller will lead the conference.

“This new generation of hydrokinetic technologies will bring hydropower to the forefront of the renewable energy debate,” Moeller said. “It is generating a lot of enthusiasm throughout the country, particularly in coastal states like my home state of Washington.”

A recently released report by the Electric Power Research Institute estimates hydropower can add at least another 23,000 megawatts by the year 2025, with a total growth potential of nearly 90,000 megawatts. That 2025 estimated potential includes 13,000 megawatts from ocean, wave and instream hydrokinetic technologies.

The National Hydropower Association is the only trade association in the United States dedicated exclusively to promoting the nation’s largest renewable resource and advancing the interests of hydropower energy in North Amer¬ica. NHA, with more than 140 members throughout the industry, works to secure hydropower’s place as a cli¬mate-friendly, domestic, reliable energy source that serves national environmental and energy policy objectives. NHA supports emerging waterpower technology through its Ocean, Tidal and New Technologies Council, consisting of 30 of its member companies that are exploring development of ocean, tidal or hydrokinetic projects. Council members include manufacturers, developers, public and investor-owned utilities, and engineering and consulting firms with projects proposed from California to New York.

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