Oregon Adopts Guidelines for Marine Renewable Energy

February 27, 2013

The Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCD) on January 24 adopted an amendment to the state's Territorial Sea Plan which will allow for future siting of marine renewable energy development projects. The Territorial Sea Plan covers state waters extending three miles out from the shoreline.

The new amendment identifies four "Renewable Energy Suitability Study Areas" where initial development of wave energy will be encouraged. When specific projects are proposed, developers will have to show that they will meet standards for protecting ecological resources, fishing and other existing uses, and coastal views. Marine renewable energy developers can also seek approval for projects in other areas off Oregon's coast, but will have to meet more stringent standards. This spring, Ocean Power Technologies plans to deploy the first federally-licensed commercial wave energy device off Reedsport. See the Oregon governor's press release.