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.

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.

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.