Governor Announces Support For Nation's First Commercial Wave Energy Project

Ocean Power Technologies has received a preliminary permit from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to develop a project off Reedsport. The company now must develop an application for a long-term license to install power-generation buoys offshore.

Photo by: Tim KIng

(SALEM) - Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski announced Monday his support for what will be the nation’s first offshore wave energy project near Reedsport.

"I want Oregon to launch a new wave of alternative energy development, and I mean that literally," the Governor said. "By tapping the energy of ocean waves, we can move Oregon toward national leadership in renewable energy technology. Oregon’s investment in energy security will mean a healthier environment, a more reliable supply of home-grown energy, and good jobs for our state."

The Governor said he is committed to working with OPT on this effort, and has designated the proposal an "Oregon Solutions" project -- a designation that will mobilize a community-based effort to support the project through collaboration among local government, businesses, nonprofit organizations and the state.

The designation enables stakeholders and interested parties to work together on deciding what terms the FERC license should include, the Governor said.

Reaching such a consensus will shorten the licensing process and speed actual development of the project, he added.

The Reedsport project will complement other efforts to develop ocean wave energy in Oregon. The Oregon Innovation Council recently proposed $5.2 million in state funding jumpstart Oregon’s wave energy sector, and the Governor has pledged to include this funding in the budget he presents to the legislature in 2007.

In addition, the Governor has unveiled an ambitious agenda to develop renewable energy and move Oregon toward energy independence. The agenda will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote local economic development.

Next year, the Governor will introduce legislation to meet one-quarter of the state’s utility demand with renewable energy by 2025. He also will introduce legislation to expand the state’s Business Energy Tax Credit program – both increasing the credit from 35% to 50% and the eligible project size from $10 million to $20 million dollars – to create more incentives for renewable energy manufacturers and developers to locate and grow in Oregon.

"We appreciate the Governor’s commitment to wave energy and his assistance in creating a process to develop consensus around OPT’s project that creates jobs and economic growth in the Reedsport area," said Dr. George Taylor, CEO of Ocean Power Technologies. "It’s a project that serves a real need in the energy market, while protecting Oregon’s precious ocean resources."

The Oregon Solutions group will meet for the first time on Oct. 4th, at 1:00 PM, in Reedsport. The group will continue to meet through the fall and winter to work on issues associated with the regulatory process.

By collaborating with public and private partners through the Oregon Solutions process, the Reedsport wave energy project could become a national model for other coastal communities, as well as a possible model for FERC to promote in other states, the Governor said.