CoastWatch My Mile - #151www.oregonshores.org

OPAC

• My role: coastal environmental group rep.

• 14 voting members + agency experts

• Advises governor, agencies, local governments about 3-mile Territorial Sea

• Priorities: – Marine Reserves– Wave Energy

Renewable Energy in the Northwest

Different current and upcoming renewable sources of energy available in NW . . .

•Are they practical? •What are the costs? •What are the legal issues?

Are they practical?

2004 Study of Potential Offshore

Wave Energy Sites in Oregon

Criteria:• Wave energy resource

characteristics/deep water close to shore

• Bottom characteristics• Grid interconnection points• Port, shipyard: fabrication,

labor pool, service vessels• Minimal conflicts with

competing uses• Regulatory complexity (local,

state, fed)

Seven Potential Sites:• Astoria, Clatsop Co.• Garibaldi, Tillamook Co.• Cushman, Lane Co.• Reedsport, Douglas Co.• Coos bay, Coos Co.• Brookings, Curry Co.

Wide Array of TechnologiesWide Array of Technologies

• Point Absorber

• Oscillating Water Column

• Attenuator• Overtopping

How Oregon is address the “practical” side:

• Wallace Energy Systems and Renewables Facility at OSU– http://eecs.oregonstate.edu/wesrf/

• Oregon Innovation Council (Oregon InC)– www.oregoninc.org

• Oregon Wave Energy Trust– www.oregonwave.org

OWET assisting with those cost areas:

•R&D•Marketing, public outreach•Regulatory – coordination•Environment

What are the costs?

Nascent industry costs:

•Evolving technology•New regulatory structure •Public involvement •Environmental research

How Oregon is addressing ecological costs?

OPAC – Wave Energy Working Group

•Ecological Effects Workshop

•Cumulative Effect study

Ecological Effects Workshop

• Two days, 50 scientists• Goal: What we know, what don’t know (gaps),

ecological impact priorities, monitoring, studies, control/reference sites, baseline

• Breakout sessions: Receptors, Stressors• Cumulative effects – Seabirds• White paper, recommendations, begin

dialogue• Involvement in statewide framework/CE• http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/waveenergy/

• Potential impacts on whales

New Hard Structures

• Fish Attraction Device (FAD) effect

• Invasive Species? (stenohaline)• Collision danger for larger

vertebrates• Key receptors:

– Fouling Community– Fish and other nekton– Seabirds– Marine mammals

Cost to other ocean users• Crabbing• Mapping of fishing

effort

• Oregon Shores: Mobilize citizens to take hold of the reins to become effective ocean advocates

What are the legal issues that arise?

FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory

Commission)

Siting Authority:

Federal Power Act• Sec 4(e) “Equal

consideration” rule• Sec 10(a)(1) Consider

comprehensive plans

Licensing process:• Preliminary permit• (Strict scrutiny)• NOI/PAD• EA/EIS• License

Who has the authority to site wave facilities?

Legal:

• Hydropower• Where’s the line in ocean – MMS vs. FERC • Leasing of the seafloor DSL rulemaking last year• Worries that FERC authority allows lease to move to ownership.

Legal issues:

• Phased process: - ability to incrementally expand - It’s hydro, but not a dam.

• Oregon Water Resources Dept. traditional hydro - No Dead Fish rule

• • FERC required to consider comprehensive plans• Amend Oregon’s Territorial Sea Plan for siting wave energy• Marine Reserve process important, related: Governor’s Exec. Order 07-08

Personally – • Change 3 light bulbs • Improve gas mileage by 5 mpg

Policy – • OR, CA, WA - 25 % problem -NE = 25 % as well -Tri-state agreements to tackle regionally• Commitment to renewables: - 25 percent by 2025

Move from Climate Change to Climate ACTION

OPAC meetings –www.oregon.gov/LCD/OPAC www.oregonmarinereserves.net

Balancing Act – Hard work, tough decisions

As Oregonians, conservationists we have our

work cut out for us.

Thank you!

•Questions? Robin@oregonshores.org