Plans to deploy Oregon’s first commercial wave energy project have been formally dropped by the company. After spending millions on the project off the coast of Reedsport, Ocean Power Technologies pulled the plug and will focus on another project in Australia.
This is an unfortunate announcement given all of the time, energy, and resources that have been focused on the planning of this project. Things have been in flux for awhile, with previous challenges in anchoring, and the recent announcement to suspend the full project build out, this latest announcement doesn't come as a huge surprise. The Surfrider Foundation was an active participant in planning of the Reedsport project, serving as a formal representative of recreational and environmental interests. In 2010, Surfrider joined over a dozen agencies and stakeholder groups in signing a historic settlement agreement with Ocean Power Technologies (OPT). The settlement agreement defined a precautionary approach to project development, including provisions for adaptive management and scientific monitoring of ecological and socioeconomic effects.
While the Reedsport project will not be moving forward, Surfrider hopes that the settlement agreement will serve as a positive example for other renewable energy projects. We believe the settlement process represents a viable approach for engaging relevant stakeholders and agencies, and ensuring that impacts to the nearshore environment and existing ocean uses will be minimized.
More info on the latest announcement can be found at OPB EarthFix.
