WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources approved a bill cosponsored by U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) that would encourage the research and development of renewable energy generated through waves, currents, ocean tides, and free-flowing water in lakes and rivers, known as hydropower.

The Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Act of 2013 would encourage private investment in marine hydrokinetic power technologies by streamlining the regulatory process for pilot projects that generate energy from oceans, lakes, and rivers. In Maine, the legislation would help innovative enterprises like Ocean Renewable Power Company, which deployed the Cobscook Bay Tidal Energy Project, the first commercial, grid-connected tidal power system in the country and the first ocean energy project to be delivering power to the public grid anywhere in the U.S., as well as a first-of-its-kind off-grid tidal project in remote Alaska.

“From powerful offshore wind to strong ocean tides, one of Maine’s greatest strengths is its vast coastal resources – and harnessing those resources in an environmentally-sustainable way could be the key to unlocking a clean and secure energy future for Maine and America,” Senator King said. “By cutting red-tape and redoubling research and development, we can encourage greater private sector investment in hydrokinectic technologies and replicate across the country projects like the one in Cobscook Bay, helping us to power millions of homes and lead the way in innovative clean energy production.”

The legislation, which was introduced by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Ron Wyden (D-Oreg.) and also cosponsored by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Oreg.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), reauthorizes the Energy Department’s marine hydrokinetic research, development and demonstration programs, including the National Marine Renewable Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Centers. It also designates the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as the lead agency to coordinate environmental reviews and sets a goal of licensing pilot programs in one year or less.

The U.S. Department of Energy has indicated the waves, tides, and ocean currents off the nation’s coasts could contribute significantly to the United States’ total annual electricity production and power millions of homes each year. DOE is currently developing an aggressive strategy to support its vision of producing at least fifteen percent of our nation’s electricity from water power, including conventional hydropower by 2030.

###