Fort Bragg/Mendocino Wave Energy Group Forming

It started mid-year 2007 when PG&E filed for a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Wave Energy Pilot Permit off our coast. It has not yet been approved to date (2/1/08). Their pilot is to be funded by $6M from the California PUC which are California tax dollars.

We are current organizing a stakeholders group (possibly Mendocino Energy) to apply for a permit on that same area of the ocean, the entire waterfront of Fort Bragg and north.

The group will focus on Wave Energy technology and determine what/if it is appropriate for our unique coast. Exploring the ocean flora/fauna impact as well as the fishing industry impact and whale migration impact (etc.) before putting a pilot in place. So the community/stakeholders wish to drive this and determine what is best for our waterfront and our community. Sonoma (the county) has created a wave group. So has Lincoln County in Oregon (they rec'd $4.2M in state funding).

Our Wave Energy group is seeking development direction (business plan) as well as leadership on how best to move quickly to file for a Wave Energy pilot permit. Once the permit app is in place, the organization can develop best practice analysis for Wave Energy off the Fort Bragg/Mendo coast for possible development.

I'm asking for help to identify/introduce us to compatible funding organizations (could be KPCB/Generation/Gore, google.org, Apple's charitable arm, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, venture groups, friends-of-friends wishing to fund clean energy development, etc.) to consider supporting our community effort.

Since last year I've been tracking wave and clean energy technologies at a blog at http://MendoCoastCurrent.wordpress.com. I encourage you (as well as appropriate persons to whom you wish to refer us) to peruse MendoCoastCurrent to gather background information and learn more about this matter as well as see what we're up against.

Time is of the essence for Fort Bragg stakeholders to begin creating the correct clean energy development solution on the Mendocino coast.

Thank you for every direction, suggestion, referral and/or positive energy you send our way.