Marine Hydrokinetic Energy Champions Testify on Capitol Hill

December 3, 2009

December 3, 2009—The House Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing entitled, "Marine and Hydrokinetic Energy Technology: Finding the Path to Commercialization."   Chairman Brian Baird (D-WA), listened to testimony delivered by SMI client Mr. Jim Dehlsen of Dehlsen Associates and Ecomerit Technologies, as well as Mr. Roger Bedard of the Electric Power Research Institute, Mr. Jacques Beaudry-Losique of the Department of Energy, Mr. Craig Collar of Snohomish County Public Utility District, and Ms. Gia Schneider of Natel Energy.  Witnesses addressed progress and challenges associated with U.S. marine hydrokinetic (MHK) energy sources, including currents (tidal, ocean, and river), waves, and stored ocean thermal energy.

Eight Members listened to testimony and participated in two rounds of questioning.  Reps. Baird (D-WA), Inglis (R-SC), Smith (R-NE), Ehlers (R-MI), Inslee (D-WA), Davis (D-TN), Tonko (D-NY) and Rohrabacher (R-CA) expressed unanimous interest in addressing the challenges plaguing the industry, including a lack of coordination among federal agencies in developing regulatory policies and permitting practices.

 

Chairman Baird recognized that test beds are being established outside the U.S., as deploying projects in domestic waters is problematic due to permitting and regulatory issues; additionally, he noted that tax incentives are not enough to grow the industry. He focused much of his questioning on how the federal government can better cooperate with, and support the nascent MHK industry to bring it up to speed with similar technologies in Europe, particularly the UK.

Mr. Dehlsen stressed the need for sustained federal commitment, drawing upon his experience in the wind energy industry over the past three decades, when funding was cut short and terminated forcing the development and implementation out of the U.S.  "While America had the foresight and made the investment to launch the wind industry, discontinuity in federal support has allowed other nations to capture a major share of the long term industry and energy benefits" stated Mr. Dehlsen, "We must not let this happen with marine renewables."

 

Mr. Bedard highlighted a different barrier to U.S. progress, "Currently, the U.S. marine energy industry is challenged by the lack of proper and standardized infrastructure to deploy and test wave energy conversion devices in the ocean." He continued, "We are starting to make progress and sustaining this progress with long-term and consistent support is essential for building a globally competitive U.S. industry."

All panelists concurred that the MHK energy industry is thriving in Europe, while the U.S. lags at least ten years behind. Critical steps to commercializing the industry were discussed over the course of the two hour hearing, from the viability of the technology to funding and permitting practices that will enable U.S. companies to launch their projects in the water. The hearing adjourned with Chairman Baird proposing a joint meeting among regulators to streamline the various agencies involved with MHK technologies.

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