For additional information, contact:

• Ellen Crivella at 503-736-4239

TOPIC:    Wave Energy Technology and the Oregon Coast 

TECHNICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND HUMAN DIMENSIONS OF WAVE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY

Ms. Meleah Ashford will provide an overview of technology, environmental effects and human dimensions of marine energy.  There are many different forms of energy extraction from the ocean occurring in energy hotspots nationally and internationally.  Particular emphasis will be put on Oregon projects, local issues and programs that are in place to answer technical questions about wave energy and to facilitate responsible development.

PLANNING FOR OCEAN ENERGY ON THE OREGON COAST

Mr. Robert Bailey will discuss the status of wave energy policy in Oregon. The Oregon Coastal Management Program (OCMP) in the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) is in the midst of an unprecedented effort to plan for alternative energy development in state ocean waters off the Oregon coast.  Concerns over economic impacts to crabbers, fishermen, and other ocean users as well as potential effects on the marine environment led Governor Kulongoski to direct the DLCD to work with stakeholders, fishermen, and local communities to prepare a plan to guide state and federal decisions about siting ocean energy facilities. For the past 18 months, the OCMP has facilitated collaboration with commercial fishermen, recreational ocean users, environmental groups, and local governments through the Oregon Coastal Zone Management Association to map fishing grounds and areas of other uses, as well as with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and others to obtain information about marine habitats and environmentally sensitive areas. The OCMP will convene several advisory bodies and work with coastal communities beginning in late Fall to review maps and conduct the spatial assessments needed to produce a final plan, which is expected by June 2011.

THE PRESENTERS
Meleah Ashford, Program Manager- Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center, Oregon State University

Meleah Ashford is the Program Manager for the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center (NNMREC).  NNMREC is a U.S. Department of Energy-sponsored partnership between Oregon State University (OSU), University of Washington (UW) and the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), established to develop a full range of capabilities to support marine renewable energy development for the United States. It includes nearly 20 principal investigators from OSU, UW and NREL.  She has over 25 years of engineering and environmental experience in the field of water resources, specifically watershed management, and ocean protection.  

Robert Bailey, Coastal Program Manager- Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development

Robert Bailey is Manager of the Oregon Coastal Management Program in the Department of Land Conservation and Development and leads a staff of 13 who work with local governments, state, and federal agencies on all aspects of coastal planning, conservation, and development issues.   He has managed the Coastal Program for 8 years.  Prior to that, he spent nearly 20 years focused on ocean planning and management for the State of Oregon.  He and his staff are currently working feverishly to carry out Governor Kulongoski’s March 2008 Executive Order to prepare a plan for ocean wave energy off the Oregon coast.

Download the forum announcement here.

For additional information, contact:

• Sara Moore, Speaker Chair at 503-944-7033