FERC signs tidal power agreement with Maine
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said it signed the agreement with the state of Maine to coordinate procedures and schedules for review of tidal energy projects off the state's coast.
"It's my hope that with the leadership of states like Maine, we can get some of these tidal energy projects into the water so their effects can be measured and their benefits demonstrated," FERC Commissioner Philip Moeller said in a release.
Several companies are racing to generate clean power by building machines with turbines that turn with the natural cycles of the tides.
Ireland's OpenHydro said recently it sees full-scale tidal power plants operating before 2014 as it builds pilot projects for utilities in the United States, Canada and France. The company's tidal "farms" would have each a capacity of 50 megawatts or greater, with individual turbines of 1.5 to 2 MW.
Previously the FERC signed agreements on tidal power with the states of Oregon and Washington.
Related News
After Quakes, Puerto Rico's Electricity Is Back On For Most, But Uncertainty Remains
PUERTO RICO - Some in Puerto Rico are beginning to fear the ground will never stop shaking. The island has been pummeled by hundreds of earthquakes in recent weeks, including the recent 5.9 magnitude temblor, where there were reports of landslides in the town of Peñuelas along the southern coast, rattling residents already on edge from the massive 6.4 magnitude quake.
That was the largest to strike the island in more than a century causing hundreds of structures to crumble, forcing thousands from their homes and leaving millions without power. One person was killed and several others injured.
Utility says 99% of…
