An OSU wave energy prototype being tested in 2007. Photo from OSU.
The drive to develop wave energy off the Oregon coast may be moving too quickly for many people in the state.
A new survey by Oregon State University shows that while a lot of Oregonians like the idea of wave energy, they’re also concerned about impacts on the coastal environment and commercial fishing.
One of the authors of the study is OSU sociology professor Flaxen Conway. Conway has been working for years with coastal residents, helping them try to understand the effects of wave energy and other demands being placed on the coast.
“Some state officials are pushing this pretty hard, maybe too hard for some people’s taste.” she says. “Many coastal residents and others want to be heard, like all of us they are often skeptical of change, and in some pretty crowded community meetings it’s clear they want answers to their questions before going to commercial scale. They recognize the value of space and place in the ocean. And there are a lot of concerned people in the fishing industry who don’t want this to be just one more thing working against them.”
How quickly are things moving along? As Conway notes, wave energy wasn’t an issue only a decade ago. But with Oregon trying to meet state goals to get 25% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2025, the pressure is building.
One of the recommendations from the study is for government, industry and academic leaders to work closely with coastal residents and listen to their concerns before choosing wave energy sites. The study predicts some of the biggest battles will take place over where wave projects are located. Listening and collaboration should help avoid some of those fights.
Conway says leaders need to pay attention to the “human dimension” of wave energy.
“It’s not just a case of developing technologies that work and finding industrial partners who want to develop them,” says Conway. “People care about the environment, they care about existing uses of the ocean, they care about their concerns being addressed, they care about the ocean view from their porch. All of these things matter.”
Other findings include:
- Strong support exists for both technological and environmental research to be completed before large scale commercial projects are allowed.
- The biggest supporters of wave energy are conservative, better-educated males, but the general level of knowledge about energy issues in the state is fairly high across the board.
- Truly sustainable energy sources have to consider all economic, environmental and social dimensions.
- Significant work is needed in mapping the ocean floor. This will help avoid conflicts over wave energy farms and other uses, such as commercial fishing grounds.
