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:

http://www.senate.gov

To find contact information for your representative in the House go to:

http://www.house.gov/

[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,

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:

Register today

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

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.

Carolyn Elefant stresses importance of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

November 4, 2009-Carolyn Elefant, counsel for The Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition (OREC), today testified in front of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coastguard.  Elefant’s testimony, delivered to Chairwoman Maria Cantwell (D-WA), stressed the importance of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as she discussed the role for renewable energy in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes stewardship, as well as the development of the United States’ national ocean policy, and the development of a framework for coastal and marine spatial planning.  Today’s Subcommittee hearing served to update the Senate on progress President Obama’s Ocean Policy Task Force is making to develop a recommendation for a national policy that ensures protection, maintenance, and restoration of oceans, our coasts and the Great Lakes.

“Over the past five years, our industry has gained momentum with respect to technology advancements and an influx of federal and state funding.  Stalling deployment of marine renewables at this critical juncture could devastate the industry and drive it overseas,” Elefant said when urging the Committee to establish a single agency to oversee and develop policy for offshore renewables technology.

Additional panel members who delivered testimony included Nancy Sutley, Chair at the Council on Environmental Quality; Jane Lubchenco, Administrator of NOAA and Undersecretary of Commerce; Adm. Thad Allen, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard; Laura Davis, Associate Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of the Interior; Billy Frank Jr., Chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission; Dennis Takashi-Kelso, Executive Vice President of The Ocean Conservancy; and Matthew Paxton, Government Relations Counsel for the Coastal Conservation Association.

As the Committee carries forward its mission to explore the agency best suited to spearhead and implement ocean policy following President Obama’s charge to the Ocean Policy Task Force, OREC will continue to represent the best interests for our marine environment, and will continue to be a leading voice of support for NOAA and additional investment in marine renewables technology.

View the complete Testimony on Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning here.

MREC 1^st 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

Click Here for Complete Information.

New England Marine Renewable Energy Center hosts

2^nd Annual Ocean Energy for New England Conference

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Cape Codder Resort

1225 Iyannough Rd.

Hyannis, MA 02601

8AM - 1:30 PM

Click here for Complete Information.

Check www.mrec.umassd.edu for updates and registration.

From the issuance:
These guidelines will evolve and will be revised and updated as necessary as we implement the OCS renewable energy program.  Also, as we gain experience with renewable energy development on the OCS, we may update our regulations to include energy-resource-specific provisions.  These guidelines do not change the letter or intent of the REAU regulations.

You can view the regulations here -REN Guidebook August 2009

Recovery.gov White House page tracking ARRA and stimulus funds

ARRA information with links to Energy Provisions (Wikipedia)

American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, aka “Stimulus Bill” (final 2/09)

SMI/Helios Summary

Treasury Guidance Document

Energy Terms & Conditions

Sample Application

Treasury Website for Grants in Lieu of Tax Credit Program