Projo Biz Blog

The chief operating officer of Deepwater Wind praised a preliminary agreement between two federal agencies for permitting off-shore renewable energy projects.

Chris Wissemann, who founded the New Jersey-based company proposing a wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island, called the agreement announced today between the Department of the Interior and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission "long overdue good news."

"Today's action is the first of many steps required to transition our economy from being over reliant on fossil fuels to one that is truly sustainable, independent of volatile pricing and foreign interests, while creating much needed jobs," he said in a statement.

The joint statement from the FERC and the Department of the Interior outlines which agency will have permitting authority over what types of off-shore renewable energy projects. Specifically, the DOI will permit all wind projects and the FERC will have responsibility for projects that use wave, tidal and ocean current energy to generate electricity.

Staff from the two agencies will draw up a memorandum of understanding that outlines how a system of permits and licenses for project proposals will be developed.

 Tags  Deepwater Wind Department of the Interior Federal Energy Regulatory Commisssion renewable energy wind energy

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