HIGHLIGHTS:
REPORT TO CONGRESS NOW AVAILABLE ON THE POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF MARINE AND HYDROKINETIC ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES

In December 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Water Power Program released its report to Congress on the potential environmental effects of marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) energy technologies. The report was prepared in compliance with language in Section 633(B) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The report was authored by Glenn Cada of the Human Health Risk & Environmental Analysis Group of ESD. The report focuses on potential impacts of marine and hydrokinetic technologies to aquatic environments (i.e., rivers, estuaries, and oceans), fish and fish habitats, ecological relationships, and other marine and freshwater aquatic resources. The report includes a discussion of:

  • options to prevent adverse environmental impacts,
  • the potential role of monitoring and adaptive management,
  • the components of an adaptive management program, and
  • a summary table showing potential impacts to the aquatic environment from installation and operation of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies.


U.S. Department of Energy. 2009. Report to Congress on the Potential Environmental Effects of Marine and Hydrokinetic (MHK) Energy Technologies. U.S. DOE, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, Washington, D.C., December.  Available online:   doe_eisa_633b.pdf

For further information, contact:

Glenn Cada
Human Health Risk & Environmental Analysis Group
Environmental Sciences Division
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge, Tenn. 37831-6036
Phone:  (865) 574-7320
e-mail:  gfcada@gmail.com