There are two Federal Energy Regulatory Commission stages through which any wave energy project can proceed. The first is to obtain a preliminary permit. The second is to obtain a license. According to the FERC Web site, http://www.ferc.gov, a permit is issued for up to three years and does not authorize construction. Instead, it maintains a priority of application for a license while the company or organization wanting to develop a wave energy park studies the site and prepares to apply for a license. As part of the permitting process, the permittee must submit periodic reports on the status of its studies. The Web site also said that it is not necessary to get a permit in order to apply for or receive a license. |