Oregon to ‘do the wave’
From our weekly issue dated March 26, 2008
The first part of its $4.2 million budget, approved by the 2007 Oregon Legislature, has been received by The Oregon Wave Energy Trust (OWET), and it is moving ahead with “to make Oregon a global leader in this emerging industry.”
As the state’s newly established wave energy association, this group of industry, academic and state agency representatives has received $1 million from the Oregon Innovation Council. Officials believe that Oregon has the potential to create high-paying jobs and economic opportunity in Oregon.
Also, OWET is seen as attracting new investment and talent, and providing reliable, low-cost, clean, and renewable power. OWET was formed last year to build and share the expertise needed to support responsible development of this industry.
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Researchers say that the ocean is the largest, most concentrated source of renewable energy on Earth. They add that the potential for wave energy in Oregon is enormous -- it could provide 10 percent of the state’s electricity needs by 2025.
“The state’s investment is aimed at addressing the challenges facing the industry, which include education and outreach, understanding potential environmental effects, responding to existing use conflicts, research and development, and statewide planning,” said OWET’s acting Director Justin Klure.
“The top priorities,” he said, “are determining potential ecological effects and working with existing ocean users to develop a plan to share the use of the ocean.”
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