Alternative Energy: Wave & Tidal
Roosevelt Island Tidal Energy Project Lead Consultant FERC Licensing/Environmental Studies
Verdant
Power’s Roosevelt Island Tidal Energy (RITE) Project will be the first tidal
energy project to be granted a license from the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC). The Project is being licensed under the authority granted
through the preliminary permit that was issued by FERC in September 2002. Once
constructed, the Project will consist of approximately 200 turbines located in
the East River both along the east shore of Roosevelt Island and near the United
Nations. The Project will generate up to 10 MW of distributed electricity, which
will be available to residents and businesses throughout New York City.
Devine Tarbell & Associates, Inc. (DTA) was selected as lead consultant for permitting and licensing the RITE Project. Tasks completed include the successful permitting for deployment of the initial six study units. Such permits include the Army Corps of Engineers’ Section 404 and Section 10 Permits, the Section 401 Water Quality Certification, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Water Use Permit. Deployment of the initial two test units occurred in December 2006, and deployment of the additional four units occurred in April 2007.
DTA is now assisting Verdant in pursuing a FERC License, as well as other federal, state, and local permits, for the full build-out of the RITE Project. DTA has developed the Initial Consultation Document and is in the process of developing the FERC License Application. In addition, DTA developed plans for, and is coordinating the completion of, a number of studies to support the FERC licensing of the project: 1) Fish Movement and Protection; 2) Diving Bird; 3) Navigation and Security, 4) Recreation; 5) Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species, 6) Historical Properties, and 7) Water Quality.