Consortium seeks Barack Obama's support for wave energy

A consortium consisting of large utilities such as Pacific Gas & Electric, Portland General Electric and Florida Power & Light, environmental groups, energy think tanks and ocean energy developers has written to President-elect Barack Obama about the tremendous potential of wave energy.   As per the information available, Obama has asked to provide support for wave energy, citing "conservative estimates" that indicate wave energy could "supply at least 10 percent of the current US demand".   Economic stimulation can't take place at home if the US ends up having to import wave energy conversion technology. The consortium stakeholders are making this a major focal point, stating that "without increased government action to encourage demonstration projects and to fund research and development, the promise of ocean renewable energy may never be realised, and the US may see Europe corner the market on these technologies, in much the same way that it did with wind," reported starbulletin.com. "The consortium also stresses the importance of pilot projects in determining the effects of wave energy technology on marine environments to ensure that we protect our ocean resources to the greatest degree possible while extracting energy from ocean waves."   Also involved are environmental groups such as the Environmental Defense Fund, Surfrider Foundation and Natural Resources Defense Council; and academic entities Oregon State University and the New England Marine Renewable Energy Center in this initiative.