Oregon eyes wave buoys to generate power

updated 3:41 p.m. ET Oct. 16, 2006

REEDSPORT, Ore. - Wave energy buoys proposed for the Oregon coast could generate enough electricity to power about 2,000 homes, supporters say.

Ocean Power Technologies has installed smaller, single test buoys in Hawaii and New Jersey. But the larger buoys proposed for Oregon would be arrayed in four rows of 50 for a total of 200, requiring about 1.5 square miles of ocean, according to company consultant Steve Kopf.

"Nobody's ever done this before," Port of Umpqua Commissioner Keith Tymchuk said during a recent hearing on the proposal. "Nowhere in the United States has there been a project like this permitted before."

The meeting was part of the requirements for a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license application by Ocean Power.

The port and other Reedsport and Douglas County officials and state agencies have been working with wave energy companies and Oregon State University for more than a year to develop a buoy park off the coast at Gardiner.

One of the key advantages of the Gardiner site is the former International Paper mill site that has an effluent pipe that stretches underground to the ocean and an electricity substation already on site.

More importantly, Kopf said, is that the easements for that pipe already are in place.

Oregon isn't the only state seeking renewable energy sources. California also is seeking alternative energy projects, Kopf said, but Oregon, and Reedsport in particular, has several advantages over California.

The abundance of waves is excellent, Oregon offers more financial incentives and, most importantly, there was significant momentum and public support for the project, Kopf said.

"We're here because we think Oregon and specifically this part of the coast, wants this type of project," Kopf said.

Gov. Ted Kulongoski also supports the project. He has organized a team to help streamline the licensing and development process, headed by Tymchuk and state Sen. Joanne Verger, D-Coos Bay.

Kopf said there has been some concern about the loss of fishing area in the wave park.

"But we're trying to find a balance," said Oregon Department of Energy spokesman Justin Klure.

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