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Wave energy group taps state cash Posted by The Oregonian January 08, 2008 14:28PM Categories: Breaking News

Oregon's new wave energy association just received $1 million from the state, the first allotment in a $4.2 million budget approved by the 2007 state Legislature.

The Oregon Wave Energy Trust (with the apt acronym: OWET) will serve as a clearinghouse for wave energy information, assessment and development. The trust includes industry, academic and state agency representatives and is designed to assess the costs and benefits of the emergence of this new form of renewable energy.

"The top priorities are determining potential ecological effects and working with existing ocean users to develop a plan to share the use of the ocean," said Justin Klure, OWET's acting director.

Oregon is considered a hot spot for wave energy development and research. Advocates say wave energy off the Oregon coast is capable of providing 10 percent of the state's electricity needs by 2025.

Some of the association's activities, planned and underway:

•$50,000 to support education and coastal community outreach in programs designed by Oregon Sea Grant and the Oregon Coastal Zone Management Association.

•Matching funds for sponsor of workshop on the ecological effects of wave energy generation at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport.

•$225,000 to conduct a whale migration study through Oregon State University's Marine Mammals Institute.

•Support of new wave energy technologies and applied research activities at Oregon State University.

--Gail Kinsey Hill