FERC, Coast Guard to Cooperate on Hydro as New Hydro Bill Is Introduced in Senate

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the U.S. Coast Guard within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate with each other on the development of projects that generate power from waves, tides, ocean currents, and the flow of rivers. A group of bipartisan senators, meanwhile, introduced a companion bill to a recently passed House bill that seeks to expand hydropower in the U.S.

The FERC–Coast Guard MOU allows the agencies to cooperate on the basis of protecting navigation safety, maritime security, and environmental resources when considering license proposals for hydrokinetic energy development.

The MOU was followed by the introduction of bipartisan legislation spearheaded by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and co-sponsored by Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Mark Begich (D-Alaska).

The Hydropower Improvement Act of 2013 is a companion piece to H.R. 267, the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013, sponsored by Reps. Cathy McMorris-Rogers (R-Wash.) and Diana DeGette (D-Colo.). H.R. 267 passed the House last month by a 422-0 vote and is supported by both the National Hydropower Association and American Rivers.

The Senate’s version also seeks to provide FERC with the authority to extend preliminary permit terms and directs FERC to explore a possible two-year licensing process or hydropower development at nonpowered dams and closed-loop pumped storage projects.

Sources: POWERnews, FERC, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

—Sonal Patel, Senior Writer (@POWERmagazine, @sonalcpatel)