coastwatch my mile - #151
Post on 22-Dec-2015
220 views
TRANSCRIPT
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?
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/
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
• 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.