Tidal Power

If OPEC raises oil prices again and the trend continues, it might not be too long before Cook Inlet's high tides are used to generate electricity. A Canadian study of the Bay of Fundy shows that tidal power generated there could be competitive with oil costing $22 per barrel.

Located between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, the Bay of Fundy has the world's highest tides. At the head of the bay, tides of 70 feet are not uncommon, and some of nearly 100 feet have been reported. Cook Inlet, with its maximum tides near 30 feet, is not quite in the same class. Nevertheless, considering the amount of water available, that still is a lot of potential.