June 24, 2005 |
"When we look at our globe and at all those colors, we recognize that
we have a heck of a lot of ocean to deal with, and there is great potential
there."
- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R- Alaska
"We have talked a lot about renewables and alternatives," said
Murkowski, addressing the Senate during energy bill debate. "One of those
areas that we have not heard a lot of discussion on, in terms of the renewables,
is the area of ocean energy. When we look at our globe and at all those colors,
we recognize that we have a heck of a lot of ocean to deal with, and there is
great potential there.
Murkowski broadly defined ocean energy to include wave energy converters, tidal
energy converters and even a new, but promising, approach known as ocean thermal
energy technology. This process generates electricity from the stark temperature
differential of surface and deeper waters (see related article at the link
below).
According to Sen. Murkowski's congressional staff, the Senate version of the
broad energy bill now contains an amendment from the Senator that will extend
the renewable energy production tax credit (PTC) of 1.9 cents per kWh to ocean
energy. Sen. Murkowski's staff said the amendment also contains a second item to
extend Federal purchase requirement assistance to ocean energy. As of press
time, the specifics of this requirement are not clear, but will be forthcoming
as more information develops.
"The additional cost of these two provisions is insignificant," Sen.
Murkowski said. "But they could greatly diversify the Nation's energy
portfolio in future decades. We recognize that the ocean is an energy source
that is truly renewable. I am looking, through my amendment, to help aid
Americans to harness that energy from our 12,000 miles of coastline. It is
something that we need to look to as a positive reality and give the
encouragement where necessary."
While the amendment appears secured in the Senate, it will still need to be
supported when the Senate and House versions of the energy bill are
consolidated.
Please Note: RenewableEnergyAccess.com and Arizonaenergy.org do not endorse the sites behind these links. We offer them for your additional research. Following these links will open a new browser window.
Copyright © 1999 - 2005 - RenewableEnergyAccess.com
Please visit www.RenewableEnergyAccess.com for great coverage on energy today!!