FERC Data on Marine Hydrokinetic Projects

The Northeast Ocean Data Portal is capturing the timelines of recent actions by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) related to permitting and licensing of marine hydrokinetic (MHK) projects via several layers in the Data Explorer. A MHK project is defined as a project that generates electricity from waves or directly from the flow of water in ocean currents, tides, or inland waterways. FERC is the agency with jurisdiction to issue licenses for MHK projects.

The Portal team assembles data and status information from FERC’s Hydrokinetic Projects information page.

In the Data Explorer, under Energy & Infrastructure > Planning & Permitting > Permitted Projects, users can activate two MHK project layers:

• Licensed Marine and Hydrokinetic Projects – licenses are granted to construct and operate a hydrokinetic electric generation facility for up to 30 – 50 years using one of three FERC licensing processes.
• Active Hydrokinetic Preliminary Permits – issued for up to four years for projects in state waters; gives the developer priority to study a project at the specified site for the duration of the permit.

There is currently one licensed MHK project in the northeast region – the Bourne Tidal Hydrokinetic Test Site on the Buzzards Bay-side of the Cape Cod Canal. Portal users can click features in the map to view additional information: