The Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Promotion Act

It's time to write and call your elected representatives. E-mail has become so prevalent and easy to use; we suggest you fax a letter to get your message across. Write your representatives today! Call and write your House of Representatives delegation, ask them to support The Marine and Hydrokinetic Promotion Act, H.R. 2036. A similar Bill should be introduced on the Senate side soon. We will contact you when we need your help in promoting the Senate version.

Where to Write

Contact only those congressmen from your home state:

To find contact information for your United States Senators go to:

http://www.senate.gov

To find contact information for your representative in the House go to:

http://www.house.gov/

What to Include

Here are some points to include in your letter and tips for contacting your representatives:

Ø Great technological and material advances have been made in the field of wave and offshore wind energy harvesting.

Ø Innovations in marine renewable technologies all demonstrate the potential for generating large amounts of energy from our oceans, but greater federal funding for research and development is needed to realize this potential.

Ø Federal funding for marine renewable research and development has lagged behind that for other alternative and renewable energy sources. This promising national resource deserves the same attention as solar, wind, and conventional, impounded hydropower.

Ø Reduce reliance on foreign oil and other carbon emitting energy technologies

Ø Reduce the demand for onshore land resources for power generation

Ø Revitalize shipyards, coastal industrial parks and shuttered naval bases

Ø Create jobs in coastal communities

H.R. 2036, the Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Promotion Act, will:

· Provide 50 million dollars each fiscal year (2008 through 2017) to the Secretary of Energy for marine and hydrokinetic energy research and development.

· Require the Secretary of Energy to Establish an Adaptive Management and Environmental Fund which will lend money to cover the costs of projects that produce marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy.

· Extend production tax credits to cover electricity produce from marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy.

· Extend investment tax credits to cover equipment which uses marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy (30 percent credit).

How to Write

· Use your own words— personally written letters receive more attention than ones that are “copied and pasted.”

· Be friendly and polite.

Be reasonable, don't ask for the impossible.

Express yourself clearly, and keep your letter brief.

Don't threaten, especially with your vote.

Don't demand a final or immediate commitment; legislation is a complicated process.

Be appreciative. Say “thank you,” especially when you agree with a vote or position.

Discuss only one subject, don't confuse the issue.

Be constructive, help seek a solution.

Remember: Be Brief: Be Clear, and Be Courteous.

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