Wave Energy Bill Approved by U.S. House Science Committee

[jpak]

http://www.renewableaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=48984

The U.S. House of Representatives Science and Technology Committee has approved, by voice vote, renewable energy legislation that would invest approximately $200 million in federal funds to advance research and development of wave energy technologies over the next four years.

The Marine Renewable Energy Research and Development Act of 2007 (H.R. 2313) would authorize $50 million for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012 for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to award grants to advance research, development, demonstration and commercial application of ocean energy.

Federal support for innovative research to develop new energy technologies is critical to encourage private sector investments and to reduce the financial risk associated with making renewable energies commercially viable.

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Wave energy, thought to be more available and more predictable than other forms of renewable energy, provides higher energy densities, with scientists estimating that only 0.2% of the ocean's total wave energy would be necessary to provide sufficient power for the entire world.

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[ixion]

1. 200 million is chump change

considering how much more we send to the illegally occupied country of Iraq.