Environmental and recreation groups, energy developers and utilities, investors and academics present Obama Administration with a set of "Joint Principles" to guide the development of ocean renewable energy -- energy from waves, tidal and ocean current.

The oceans are a huge potential source of clean energy, with conservative estimates indicating that they could supply at least 10% of current U.S. demand. But that potential has so far gone unrealized, in large part because of insufficient leadership on the part of the federal government.  The attached statement is extraordinary because it comes from a wide array of stakeholders,including environmentalists, recreationists, academics, energy developers, investors, and utilities.

The principles lay out a roadmap for environmentally responsible development that can avoid the controversies that have engulfed many other forms of energy,both renewable and non-renewable. Because this industry is new, we have an opportunity to do it right from the beginning, and this diverse group had demonstrated that people of good faith can work together to help create a sustainable energy future for America and the world.