- View our slide presentation from the Woods Hole Oceanography Institute (October 22-25, 2003)
here (the slides include many links to statutes and reports)
- You can view Judge Tauro's decision in Ten Taxpayers v. US Army Corp et. al. (8/19/03)
(finding that the state has no regulatory authority over Cape Wind under fishery protection statutes) and Alliance Nantucket v. Corps (9/18/03)
(affirming Corps' jurisdiction under OCSLA to permit Cape Wind project).
- Read this new article summarizing FERC's AquaEnergy decision asserting jurisdiction over ocean energy projects. (6/30/03)
- We've added new resource links on offshore wind (also applicable to ocean)
here
- View Ms. Elefant's paper on What Offshore Wind Can Learn from FERC Hydroelectric Licensing.
- We've added links to our presentation at the National Academy of Sciences Ocean Workshop
here and the summary table of laws and regs applicable to offshore renewables (wave, wind & OTEC) is here. Both files are in PDF format.(5/03)
- Take a look at this link to POEMS, the Practical Ocean Energy Management Systems Inc. In May 2003, Ms. Elefant joined POEM's distinguished
advisory board.(5/03)
- As a supplement to our website, be sure to visit the LOCE Offshore Wind and Wave Weblog, which is continously renewed, like the ocean itself. Our weblog provides current news on offshore wind and wave project development, funding and legislative activity. If you have any news or announcements for the weblog,
email us.
- Check out our website section,
Resources for Offshore Wind Development.(9/30/02)
- Article on Regulatory Uncertainty in Ocean
Energy Development (energypulse.net - 11/02). Contains description of recent
ocean energy and offshore developments in US and analysis of further
impediments to development.
- To view FERC's proposed
rules on standards for Interconnection of Small Generators, click here or visit
FERC's Website for more information. The standards are designed
to reduce burdens and costs on smaller developers (under 2 MW and
between 2 MW and 20 MW) seeking to connect to the grid.
- FEDERAL
Information about federal regulation of licensing of, and power sales from ocean projects in the U.S. and federal funding and incentives for ocean energy research and development- STATE
Guide to select states' coastal environmental siting regulations applicable to ocean energy development; energy deregulation policies affecting renewable and state resources for funding ocean energy R&D.- POLICIES
Listing of renewable policy concepts which could assist ocean energy development.- LINKS
Links to ocean energy companies in the U.S. and resources describing various technologies, listing ocean energy development outside the U.S. and trade associations with resources for ocean and renewable energy developers.- Visit LOCE
Website for the Law Offices of Carolyn Elefant (LOCE), sponsor and creator of this page. - FEDERAL
Resource List
WHAT'S NEW?
Welcome to our 1043rd Visitor
Our Purpose
Welcome to the Ocean Energy Resources Website, sponsored by the Law Offices of Carolyn Elefant located in Washington D.C. This website serves as the only comprehensive on-line source of information on the myriad of federal and state laws and regulations which affect the licensing and siting of ocean energy and offshore renewable projects in the United States as well as the sale of power from those projects to electric utilities and consumers.
In contrast to other countries, the United States lags behind in both research and development of ocean energy projects, notwithstanding the availability of ocean resources with good potential for power production. However, the focus on ocean energy development in the U.S. may reemerge over the next few years in light of factors such as advancements in ocean energy technology, state energy deregulation policies designed to promote renewables and customer choice and growing concern over rising energy costs.
What is Ocean (or Wave) Energy?
Ocean energy is a broad term, encompassing all those forms of technologies which utilize the ocean to generate energy. These technologies include Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) which relies on changes in ocean water temperature to generate electricity; tidal power, surface wave energy and subsurface current. Offshore wind power also falls within the parameters of "ocean energy" development. In addition, there are a number of tidal related ocean energy technologies which might also have application at low head riverine hydroelectric sites licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Some have described ocean energy as merely a concentrated form of solar or wind energy, since the sun and/or wind impact ocean temperatures and wave or tidal function (See, e.g., NREL Site ("ocean is the world's largest solar collector"). These characterization could enable ocean energy developers to qualify for certain federal and state renewable programs which fund or extend benefits to solar and wind projects but do not expressly include ocean or tidal power in those programs.
ABOUT LOCE
Carolyn Elefant, founder and principal attorney with the Law Offices of Carolyn Elefant, has advised ocean energy developers both in this country and internationally since the early 1990's. Our firm is one of the only law firms within the United States with experience in the area of ocean energy development. Ms. Elefant authored the article Ocean Energy Development in the 1990's, Energy Law Journal, Vol. 14, No. 2 (1993). A copy of the article (either hard copy or electronic version) can be requested from Ms. Elefant at loce@his.com
Complementing our practice's ocean energy experience is our fourteen years of experience in hydroelectric licensing, renewable energy development and electric utility regulatory matters. To further bolster our energy capabilities, LOCE maintains strategic relationships and work closely with other area law practices specializing in renewable energy development, power supply contract negotiation and project development and financing. Finally, unique amongst energy law firms, our practice under the leadership of Ms. Elefant has amassed substantial litigation experience, including motions practice, bench and jury trials and state and federal appeals.