Ocean Renewable Energy Surveys

For Renewable Energy, Green Jobs, Economic Stimulus and Better Coastal Science: Send the Survey Ships to Sea!

We call on the US Secretaries of Energy, Commerce and Interior to ask Congress for funding for offshore hydrographic surveys that can help site ocean renewable energy projects. This also will quickly create green jobs, generate a significant economic stimulus, and help the states improve their coastal zone and fisheries management.

Ocean renewable energy is recognized to have immense potential for our economy and national security. Over fifty ocean wave and tidal power projects in the USA have been proposed to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and at least thirty offshore wind projects are proposed on the three coasts and the Great Lakes. The states of Rhode Island, New Jersey and Delaware have already issued contracts for offshore wind projects.

All of these projects have one thing in common: They require high-resolution sidescan sonar surveys to learn about the bathymetry, bottom conditions, hazards and habitats. Broad surveys are needed to learn where are the best areas for ocean renewable energy projects. Focused surveys are needed for the precise siting of wind, wave and tidal power generators.

NOAA and the coastal states already are surveying their coasts to improve their knowledge of ecosystems, fisheries and other key issues. But it's expensive. It can cost over $3 million to survey 100 square miles of ocean. The ocean off Rhode Island has about 2000 square miles of area less than 300 feet deep, which is about the practical limit for offshore renewable energy generation today. New Jersey has about 6000 square miles. Surveying this area would cost over $200 million. Coastal surveys for all the states with proposed offshore energy projects could cost over $1 billion. It's money well spent.

Besides the benefit of advancing ocean renewable energy development, survey cruises generate many jobs. Crews and port workers earn good union wages. Outfitting the ships generates work for shipyards, suppliers, machine shops, riggers and more. The data analysis supports engineers, oceanographers, technicians, students and computer experts. The ships burn a lot of fuel which creates an opportunity for biodiesel use. And these jobs can be stimulated quickly. There are ships and crew and analysts available now if there is money to hire them.

Coastal states and NOAA are already trying to survey their seas to improve coastal zone management and navigation. The new generation of sonar equipment provides amazing 3-D images. Besides general information about the bottom and seabed type the data shows fisheries habitats. Different fish species like different types of seabed, for example rocks, gravel or mud. The sonar data helps fisheries managers determine whether and how to allow fishing in different areas to protect the resource. But no state has completed the surveys they want because of the high cost. The states will benefit directly from surveys done to help site ocean energy projects.

Congress should fund NOAA and others to complete the high-res surveys already initiated in many coastal states and specifically in those states with proposed offshore renewable energy projects. Mobilizing the ships and crews can be done relatively quickly, they are "shovel ready". This is win-win-win: It promotes renewable energy development, creates green jobs on the waterfront and at sea, and helps the states with coastal zone management.

There is no way ocean renewable energy can be developed without ocean survey data, and no private company can afford to do it. We, the undersigned, call on the Secretaries of Energy, Commerce and Interior to collaborate and obtain funding from Congress to send the survey ships to sea, so ocean renewable energy can become a real part of our sustainable national energy solution.