Time For Marine Renewable Energy Funding
March 14, 2010 by carolynelefant
Filed under Blog, OREC Newsroom
It’s time to write and call your elected representatives. Remember that e-mail, fax and phone are the three quickest ways to get your message across.
The below letter to your Member of Congress and Senators requests funding for Marine Renewables R&D. If you have any questions or need further information related to this letter or lobbying your elected Federal representatives, please call or e-mail any member of the OREC team.
Write and call your Senators and Representatives today! The 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act authorized R&D programs for ocean renewable energy…now we need funding appropriated to get those programs funded above the President’s budget request of only $40 million. OREC has asked for $100 million in fiscal year 2011 to fund Department of Energy research and development and demonstration programs. These are critically needed funds for a young industry on the verge of becoming part of a reliable, affordable, clean energy mix.
Please support increased funding for ocean renewables!
Call and write your delegation. Ask them to support funding for ocean renewable technologies in the FY11 Energy and Water Appropriations bills.
Sincerely,
Your Ocean Renewable Team
Sean O’Neill (301) 325-5099 soneill@symmetrix.biz
Carolyn Elefant (202) 297-6100 loce@his.com
Damian Kunko (202) 467-5459 x229 damian@strategicmi.com
Scott Lindsay (360) 944-6654 Scott@SMLConsulting.net
Here are some points to include in your letter and tips for contacting your representative.
Ø The energy potential of the ocean and tidal areas is nearly limitless but, until now, it has been virtually untapped.
Ø Significant advances in recent years in technologies and materials developed for deep offshore platforms, remotely controlled submersible vessels and wind turbines make it possible now to generate electricity from marine resources on a large scale basis.
Ø Marine renewables provide clean, affordable energy.
Ø Fund Marine Renewable energy research and development to support energy security through greater diversity in our energy supply portfolio
Ø Reliable, affordable, clean energy is the foundation upon which rests our economic development, quality of life, environment, even our commitment to peace.
Tips on Contacting your Elected Representative
Contact only those Senators and Representatives from your home state
Be specific
Be friendly
Be polite
Be reasonable, don’t ask for the impossible.
Don’t threaten, especially with your vote.
Don’t demand a final or immediate commitment, legislation is a complicated process.
Be appreciative, say “thank you”, especially when you agree with a vote or position.
Express yourself clearly.
Be brief and to the point.
Discuss only one subject, don’t confuse the issue.
Be constructive, help seek a solution.
Remember: Be Brief: Be Clear, and Be Courteous.
Where to Write
Contact only those congressmen from your home state:
To find contact information for your United States Senators go to:
To find contact information for your representative in the House go to:
[Insert Date]
The Honorable _______________
U.S. House of Representatives or U.S. Senate
Washington DC
RE: FY 2011 Department of Energy Appropriations Program Request: Ocean/Marine Renewable Energy
Dear Congressman or Senator,
I respectfully request that you appropriate $100 million to the Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - Water Power R&D account in the FY11 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, authorized in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, for basic and applied technology research and development for ocean/marine renewable technologies, including demonstration projects. The funds are necessary to support the development of marine renewable energy technologies that are on the verge of commercial viability.
A diversity of energy sources is the foundation of a reliable electrical system. North America has significant wave, tidal, and current or in-stream energy resources. Recent studies-and the burgeoning of a robust international ocean renewable industry-have proved that there is a case for investing in the research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) of technology to convert the kinetic energy of waves, currents, and tidal streams into electricity.
Moreover, it is essential that we support advanced R&D for marine and hydrokinetic technologies–separate and apart from conventional hydropower utilizing impounded dams and ocean thermal energy conversion, which received substantial federal funding support in the 1970’s and 1980’s. To this end, I encourage separate line items for each of these sectors so they can be accurately assessed on their own merits.
Developing renewable energy resources need federal RD&D funding support. Just as the wind energy industry has enjoyed DOE funding support for over two decades, the nascent water energy industry should receive similar federal support to develop promising technologies. Our emphasis on developing diverse energy supplies-including those from ocean renewable technologies-supports strengthening our energy security, protecting our environmental resources, and improving our quality of life.
I appreciate your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
Matt R. Simmons to Address GMREC III during Thursday, April 15th Luncheon
March 12, 2010 by TMarieHilton
Filed under Announcements, Blog, OREC Newsroom
Matthew R. Simmons is Chairman Emeritus of Simmons & Company International, a specialized energy investment banking firm. The firm has completed approximately 770 investment banking projects for its worldwide energy clients at a combined dollar value in excess of $140 billion.
Mr. Simmons was raised in Kaysville, Utah. He graduated cum laude from the University of Utah and received an MBA with Distinction from Harvard Business School. He served on the faculty of Harvard Business School as a Research Associate for two years and was a Doctoral Candidate.
Mr. Simmons began a small investment bank/advisory firm in Boston. Among his early clients were several subsea service companies. By 1973, almost all of his clients were oil service companies. Following the 1973 Oil Shock, Simmons decided to create a Houston-based firm to concentrate on providing highest quality investment banking advice to the worldwide oil service industry. Over time, the specialization expanded into investment banking covering all aspects of the global energy industry.
SCI’s offices are located in Houston, Texas; London, England; Boston, Massachusetts; Aberdeen, Scotland and Dubai, UAE.
In 2007, Mr. Simmons founded The Ocean Energy Institute in Mid-Coast Maine. The Institute’s focus is to research and create renewable energy sources from all aspects of our oceans.
Simmons serves on the Board of Directors of Houston Technology Center (Houston) and the Center for Houston’s Future (Houston). He also serves on The University of Texas’ M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Foundation Board of Visitors (Houston) and is a Trustee of the Bermuda Institute for Ocean Sciences. In addition, he is past Chairman of the National Ocean Industry Association. Mr. Simmons is a past President of the Harvard Business School Alumni Association and a former member of the Visiting Committee of Harvard Business School. He is a member of the National Petroleum Council, Council on Foreign Relations and The Atlantic Council of the United States. Mr. Simmons is a Trustee of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, The Island Institute and Farnsworth Art Museum in Maine.
Mr. Simmons’ recently published book Twilight in the Desert: The Coming Saudi Oil Shock and the World Economy has been listed on the Wall Street Journal’s best-seller list. He has also published numerous energy papers for industry journals and is a frequent speaker at government forums, energy symposiums and in boardrooms of many leading energy companies around the world.
Mr. Simmons is married and has five daughters. His hobbies include watercolors, cooking, writing and travel.
Global Marine Renewable Energy Conference Checklist:
Book hotel room — room blocks with negotiated rates will be released starting March 12, 2010
Sign up for Garrad Hassan Classes on Wave and Tidal Technologies.
Sign up for Professional Development Day
Sign up for Significant Other Track
Visit the website and see new panelists, exciting new developments, and outstanding price/performance
New developments are happening daily….. Check the website often. www.globalmarinerenewable.com
3rd Annual Global Marine Renewable Energy Conference
February 16, 2010 by TMarieHilton
Filed under Blog, Featured
The 3rd Annual Global Marine Renewable Energy Conference will be held April 14th and 15th, 2010 at the Bell Harbor International Convention Center, Seattle, Washington.
For more information visit the Global Marine Renewable Energy Conference website by clicking here.
OREC Comments in Response to Pres. Obama’s Ocean Management Task Force
September 11, 2009 by Carolyn Elefant
Filed under Blog, OREC Newsroom
On September 10, 2009, the Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition filed comments on a framework for ocean policy coordination and marine spatial planning in response to President Obama’s Ocean Management Task Force. Comments can be viewed here . OREC continues to participate in Task Force meetings and offer our input on proposed ocean management initiatives based on our members’ experience.
MREC 1st Annual Technical Conference
August 14, 2009 by Carolyn Elefant
Filed under Blog, OREC Newsroom
New England Marine Renewable Energy Center hosts
MREC 1st Annual Technical Conference
October 15, 2009
Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Center
Fall River, MA, USA
Come and hear about the latest advances in marine renewable energy and enjoy the fall colors of New England.
Sessions will address research and technology development in the following areas:
- Ocean Wave Energy Conversion Devices
- Tidal In Stream Conversion Devices
- Offshore Wind Generation Systems and Platform Design