Comment Deadline on Ocean Energy Rules

Experimental wave energy device in operation.

The Department of State Lands has initiated rulemaking to implement the requirements of recent administrative and legislative actions affecting the placement of ocean renewable energy devices in the territorial sea.  The public is invited to comment through close of business on July 14.

These actions include adoption of Part 5 of the Territorial Sea Plan by the Land Conservation and Development Commission; enactment of HB 2694 (2013) - establishing seafloor data sharing requirements; enactment of SB 606 (2013) - amending financial assurance and civil penalty statutes for ocean renewable energy projects; and enactment of SB 319 (2015) refining the Department's regulatory and proprietary roles in siting ocean renewable energy projects. SB 319 specifically required the Department to convene a committee to assist in evaluating whether to establish by rule a general permit under ORS 196.816, or grant by rule a general authorization under ORS 196.850, for ocean renewable energy facilities that are used as components of research projects or demonstration projects that produce ocean renewable energy. 

The Department also specifically requests public comment on whether other options should be considered for achieving the rule's substantive goals while reducing the negative economic impact of the rule on business pursuant to ORS 183.335(2)(b)(G).

The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Hearing, Statement of Need and Fiscal Impact, and the Proposed Rules are available here.  

Submit your comments by mail to:
 
Sabrina Foward, Rules Coordinator
DIV 140, 85 & 93 Rulemaking
Department of State Lands
775 Summer Street N.E., Ste 100
Salem, Oregon  97301-1279
 
Or via email: rules@dsl.state.or.us