Following a Memorandum of Understanding [1] in April 2009, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Minerals Management Services (MMS) have issued a guidance document [1] that clarifies a lot of the process and jurisdictional questions regarding development of hydrokinetic projects on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

Per the MOU, MMS will issue leases for marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) projects in the OCS, while FERC will issue licenses.

This new guidance document is designed to provide information to applicants and stakeholders about the respective responsibilities of each agency and how to best navigate the process of obtaining a hydrokinetic lease and license on the OCS.