74th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2007 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
 LC 3744
 
                     House Joint Memorial 22
 
Sponsored by Representative COWAN; Representatives BEYER, BOONE,
  CANNON, DINGFELDER, JENSON, KRIEGER, MACPHERSON, MORGAN,
  NELSON, READ, ROBLAN, SCHAUFLER, G SMITH, WITT, Senators G
  GEORGE, L GEORGE, JOHNSON, KRUSE, MORRISETTE, VERGER, WHITSETT
  (at the request of Lincoln County)
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.
 
  Urges Congress to amend Federal Power Act to specifically
address and encourage development of wave energy.
 
                         JOINT MEMORIAL
To the President of the United States and the Senate and the
  House of Representatives of the United States of America, in
  Congress assembled:
  We, your memorialists, the Seventy-fourth Legislative Assembly
of the State of Oregon, in legislative session assembled,
respectfully represent as follows:
  Whereas wave energy is a renewable power source with a great
potential to reduce our dependence on oil and other fossil fuels;
and
  Whereas the Oregon coast is particularly well suited for the
development of wave energy development and generation; and
  Whereas the technology for harnessing wave energy is rapidly
evolving in many locations, including Scotland, Portugal and here
in Oregon; and
  Whereas the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon
strongly supports the development of this technology for its
global benefits, as well as its potential for economic
development; and
  Whereas the siting of wave energy facilities in the ocean has
the potential for direct conflict with other important uses of
ocean resources; and
  Whereas the only current process for the siting of wave energy
facilities in the ocean is, unfortunately, Part 1 of the Federal
Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791 et seq., which is primarily designed for
the siting of dams on rivers; and
  Whereas agencies of the federal government are themselves in
disagreement as to which agency has jurisdiction over the siting
of wave energy facilities within the outer continental shelf; and
  Whereas recent applications to the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission under the current process highlight these deficiencies
with the regulatory process and the disagreements among federal
agencies; and
 
  Whereas it appears that the use of the current regulatory
process is destined for conflict; and
  Whereas that conflict will likely slow the process of
developing this important and innovative technology; now,
therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of
  Oregon:
  (1) The Congress of the United States of America is
respectfully urged to amend the Federal Power Act to provide a
specific process for the siting of wave energy facilities that
will encourage innovation, provide for direct local input in
siting decisions, be expedited and address potential conflicts at
the beginning of the regulatory process.
  (2) A copy of this memorial shall be sent to the President of
the United States, to the Senate Majority Leader, to the Speaker
of the House of Representatives and to each member of the Oregon
Congressional Delegation.
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