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

After months of row between FERC and Mineral MMS under the DOI over jurisdiction over renewable energy projects on the Outer Continental Shelf, the two agencies signed a MOU yesterday that clarifies each agency's roles and responsibilities.

Through a press release issued last week, FERC has claimed jurisdiction over hydro projects on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), a region within three miles off the ocean shore.

In a comment filed yesterday, HRC requested MMS to describe the procedures, standards and requirements that would be applied for decisions on hydrokinetic projects.