The goal of developing new, clean and renewable energy from the power of the ocean and river currents has been a long–sought goal for both energy developers and environmental groups. This new technology has been getting a lot of scrutiny over the past twelve months, but the issue has skyrocketed as we close in on the end of 2007.

Hydrokinetic technologies i.e. electricity generation from current, wave and tidal energy, are being increasingly talked about. Although the prospect may be huge, we do not know the potential impacts such project can have on the river ecosystem. Read the full article by Rich Bowers, the HRC NW coordinator on where this technology is going and how the government is dealing with it.

Hydropower Reform Coalition comments on Washington's Department of Ecology Draft Recommendations for meeting the Washington Climate Change Challenge

FERC issues first hydrokinetic license for the Makah Bay Offshore Wave Pilot Project (FERC No. 12751-000) located offshore of Waatch Point in Challam County, WA.

PowerPoint for Hydropower as a clean, renewable energy, at the University of Oregon School of Law. February 2008

City of Hastings, MN is the first applicant seeking to get an approval from the federal government to run an in-river hydrokinetic project.