Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the state of Oregon announced an agreement Thursday giving state and local officials a bigger hand in developing wave technology. Rob Manning reports. FERC officials say they will share a nearly unprecedented level of collaboration with Oregon. They say the new agreement acknowledges Oregon as a renewable energy leader. The Memorandum of Understanding will coordinate permitting of wave energy pilot projects on the Oregon Coast, and likely speed them up. Scientists here would then monitor them.

Mark Robinson directs the Energy Projects office at FERC. Mark Robinson: “If it goes well, I expect that will be played out in Oregon, with more projects that will protect the environment and produce the energy that we all need.” Robinson says that FERC will maintain ultimate authority over allowing wave energy production. But both Robinson and Governor Ted Kulongoski’s office agree that now FERC will look to Oregon for guidance, on issues like protecting the coastal environment.