The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved legislation sponsored by United States Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D - Hawaii) to promote research and development of methane hydrates as an energy resource. The Methane Hydrate Research and Development Act of 1999 (S. 330) would establish a research and development program at the Department of Energy to assess and develop methane hydrates as an energy source.

Methane hydrates are rigid, ice-like solids of water surrounding a gas molecule. They contain large quantities of methane. In addition to its potential as a source of energy, methane hydrate deposits also present challenges for conventional oil and gas extraction. Understanding and characterizing hydrate formation and breakdown is important for the safety of deep sea operations. The release of large quantities of methane from hydrate deposits, as well as changes in the natural sequestration of methane in hydrate form, could significantly affect global climate change.

"Our understanding of these deposits, their location, and their potential as a commercial resource is limited," Senator Akaka noted. "The United States has failed to keep pace with other nations in exploring methane hydrates. Natural gas from hydrates will never be realized without a serious methane hydrates research program. But the U.S. is not doing enough to explore this exciting new energy source."

The Energy Committee also approved an Akaka measure (S. 334) to amend the Federal Power Act to remove hydropower projects in Hawaii from Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) jurisdiction. Both S. 330 and S. 334 were favorably reported at the Committee's first legislative markup of the year. They are pending consideration by the Senate.