Oregon Wave Energy Trust

Wave Energy Park In Reedsport

View Original Source at OregonCoastDailyNews.com

October 27th, 2011

There are several things happening around wave energy especially in the Reedsport area. Ocean Power Technologies is proposing a project and is now getting all of the state and federal approval permits for a wave energy park near Reedsport. They already have a permit for one 140-foot tall buoy with 30-feet of it sticking out of the ocean. The proposed project is to have nine more of those buoys in place in the Reedsport area in the ocean off Gardner by next summer. Most of the questions raised so far have been around weather the buoys and their underwater cables could entangle whales or snare crab pots.

If the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or FERC grants OPT their license and a permit is granted by the US Army Corps of Engineers these buoys would be operating off the coast for the next 35-years. The wave park would sit about two and a half miles offshore near the edge of the Oregon territorial sea. There was a hearing held recently by DEQ regarding the permit for a water quality certification. If approved by DEQ it would include many conditions including that OPT monitor water quality at the site and have a spill plan in place to determine what they would do should the 200-265 gallons of hydraulic fluid in each buoy were to leak. The state is still accepting public comments on the proposed certification.

According to OPT the wave park will generate much needed jobs to the area. Robert F. Lurie, OPT Vice President for North America Business Development and Marketing, said they are delivering on the promise to convert Oregon waves into Oregon jobs. The majority of the content of OPT’s PowerBuoys is manufactured and assembled near the coastal sites at which they are deployed. This lays the foundation for a new, environmentally beneficial ocean-related industry to support Oregon’s southern coastal communities and manufacturing firms. This includes the continuing need for local resources to assist in PowerBuoy marine operations.

Reaching Out

Did You Know?

Oregon is a leader in wave energy.

Oregon focuses on a collaborative model for getting wave energy projects in the water.

That Oregon’s Coastline is among a few places in the world that has the key elements to tap into wave energy?

That Oregon can enjoy an abundance of energy generated by ocean waves?

That our state contains internationally- recognized experts who are leading efforts to responsibly develop wave energy?

That Oregon has capacity to build, maintain and deliver sustainable wave energy power to the grid?

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Why support Oregon Wave Energy Trust?

Wave energy is one key part of the comprehensive alternative energy solution for Oregon. And thanks to a combination of unique characteristics is the only source of energy where Oregon enjoys such a clear competitive advantage. As a result, Oregon’s wave energy industry provides myriad opportunities to deliver significant economic benefits to the state.

Oregon Wave Energy Trust (OWET) works closely with our state- wide stakeholders: fishing and environmental groups, coastal communities and industry, government agencies and other partners in responsibly developing this new industry while establishing Oregon as the North American leader in wave energy. The work that we do is the real benefit we offer our members.

Our Founding Partners

Oregon Wave Energy Trust was funded in part with Oregon State Lottery Funds administered by the Oregon Business Development Department. It is one of six Oregon Innovation Council initiatives supporting innovation and long term economic growth.