The Hydropower Reform Coalition and the National Park Service have jointly released a new guide that offers strategies to deal with potential recreation issues as new hydrokinetic energy technologies are being proposed in rivers and oceans, often times in same areas that are high-value recreation resources.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee is holding a hearing on Thursday, March 31 to hear testimonies on two recent hydropower bills introduced by Senator Lisa Murkowski (D-Alaska).

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 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.

The Snohomish County PUD No. 1 in Washington has further advanced in its intent to build and operate a tidal energy project in the Admirarty Inlet. Earlier this week, the PUD filed its draft license application with FERC.

With interest in marine and hydrokinetic energy development in the US rapidly rising, the Department of Energy has developed a database of existing and potential projects.