Wave energy testing site opens off Oregon, a green energy milestone in the Trump administration

A groundbreaking facility for testing wave energy technologies has opened off the coast of Oregon, marking a significant milestone in green energy advancements during the Trump administration. This first large site in the continental U.S. is situated at PacWave South, designed and developed by Oregon State University. The federal approval for the project came after overcoming hurdles from the previous administration, which has imposed strict regulations on clean energy development.

PacWave South aims to advance wave energy technologies by providing a platform for developers to test their devices' capacity to generate power in the open ocean and transmit it to the local grid. The site connects to the continental U.S. grid, streamlining the testing and permitting process that has hindered marine energy development for years.

Despite the ocean's immense potential for clean energy, wave energy is still in its infancy. The Department of Energy has invested nearly $150 million since 2016 in the facility's construction costs. Upon completion, PacWave South will contribute significantly to the nation's energy system and national security applications, offering power sources for remote and sensitive offshore and coastal environments.