DEAL ON NEW OFFSHORE RULES

Government agencies sign MOU to spur offshore hydro, wind projects
July 8, 2010 (HydroWorld)

"The Department of the Interior and the Department of Energy announced a new memorandum of understanding intended to strengthen the working relationship between the two agencies on the future development of commercial renewable offshore hydro and wind projects on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf…

"Together, DOI and DOE will use this agreement to spur the development of future commercial-scale offshore wind and hydro projects. The wind and water resources off the United States' coasts offer a vast yet largely untapped energy potential. The MOU between DOI and DOE will facilitate the development of these domestic energy resources by pursuing priority leasing and efficient regulatory processes for sites with high, commercial-scale offshore wind and water power development potential…"

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"The two agencies will exchange information on resources and technologies, conduct stakeholder engagements and collaborate on research projects. These activities will augment the scientific and technical exchanges that already occur between the two departments.

"The MOU states that within 30 days of its signing an interagency working group will develop an action plan covering…[1} Development of attainable deployment goals for offshore wind and marine and hydrokinetic energy on the OCS ..[2] Siting and permitting…[3] Resource assessment …[4] Technical standards…[5] Data exchange and public engagement…"