Washington, DC -- Congressman Eliot Engel announced that the first-ever license by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for a tidal-energy project is coming to fruition.  The project to generate energy using the tides of the East River received a $3.2 million appropriation, co-sponsored by Rep. Engel, to fund the demonstration study. 

Rep. Engel, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said FERC awarded Verdant Power Inc. of New York the license for a tidal-energy project, which will generate power from turbines in the East River off Roosevelt Island.

“This can produce clean, renewable energy for New York City, which will lessen our reliance on more polluting energy sources. Verdant Power, which is installing the tide-powered turbines in the East River, will be able to supply enough energy for up to 10,000 homes,” he said.

The funding measure was sponsored by Reps. Engel and Carolyn Maloney of New York, and Rep. Jay Inslee of Washington, and the appropriation for the demonstration was included in the FY 2008 Defense Appropriations bill.  Verdant Power successfully completed a demonstration of six full-scale tidal turbines, which operated from 2006-2009.

Verdant Power received a pilot license and will install five three-bladed turbines in the river by the end of next year.  They will test the environmental effects and economic feasibility of the project.  The turbines generate hydrokinetic energy using the powerful tides of the East River. They look and work like windmills capturing energy of the fast moving tides of the east channel between Roosevelt Island and Queens.

A total of 30 generators are expected to be installed by 2015 and, if successful, Verdant is expected to apply for a license extending the 10 years of the pilot operation.

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