Update on the DOER Act

There’s been further progress on the DOER (Deep Ocean Energy Resource) Act since our last post  here. As we wrote, and also reported in this article from Renewable Energy Access, the House Bill includes $20 million per year for fiscal year ‘07 through FY ‘11 in direct grants to ocean renewable projects thanks to the Inslee Amendment.  The Senate also adopted its own version of the bill which does not include funds for ocean renewables.

When Congress re-convenes in September, the House and Senate both have
bills that will increase drilling for oil and gas on the Outer
Continental Shelf.  OREC believes that if the United States needs to pump more oil and gas, some of the proceeds should be re-invested into sustainable alternative energy from clean ocean renewable resources.  We will need a full court press if we hope to have the $20 million/year for ocean renewables survive conference.