Through a letter sent to the Department of Interior and Department of Energy, the Hydropower Reform Coalition supported the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) reached by the two departments for offshore energy development, including marine and hydrokinetic.

The Department of Interior and the Department of Energy have agreed to strengthen the working relationship between the two agencies on the future development of commercial renewable offshore energy projects, including the marine and hydrokinetic energy projects, on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

The US Senate, this week, confirmed Cheryl LaFleur as the fifth member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and reconfirmed Philip Moeller for his second term.

The Hydropower Reform Coalition has partnered with the National Park Service with assistance from the Department of Energy to produce a whitepaper on recreational issues related to the marine and hydrokinetic energy technologies, which is now available for public review.

Last week, Governor Brad Henry signed a legislation requiring that Oklahoma generate 15% of its electricity through renewable energy sources by 2015. The legislation counts hydropower in its renewable portfolio along with wind, solar, photovoltaic, hydrogen, geothermal, and biomass.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and California have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to coordinate procedures and schedules at the federal and state levels for development of hydrokinetic energy projects off the California coast.

After hearing from stakeholders at a technical conference in December 2009, FERC will now offer web-based tools that would ease the licensing process for development of small hydropower in the United States.

In what seems like a progress from conventional ways of looking at hydropower, federal agencies that own and operate hydropower projects around the country are collaborating to find ways to increase hydropower generation while at the same time protecting the non-power interests of the basin.

President Obama announced his intent to nominate Cheryl A. LaFleur as the Commissioner of FERC and reappoint Philip D. Moeller for another term.

A recent study by the HRC has revealed lack of transparency in green-pricing programs offered by utilities around the country.