{"id":21818,"date":"2014-10-27T08:12:31","date_gmt":"2014-10-27T12:12:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/?p=3016"},"modified":"2024-05-21T15:54:20","modified_gmt":"2024-05-21T19:54:20","slug":"north-carolinas-stake-in-shaping-energy-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastwatch\/north-carolinas-stake-in-shaping-energy-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"North Carolina’s Stake in Shaping Energy Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"
Question:<\/strong> What will fuel the global demand for energy in the future: oil, gas, coal, nuclear, biomass, solar, wind?<\/p>\n Answer:<\/strong> All of the above \u2014 according to energy industry leaders and others gathered at The Coastal Energy Summit presented recently by the Greater Wilmington Business Journal<\/em>.<\/p>\n Gov. Pat McCrory was among speakers who addressed the possibilities for offshore resource exploration, now that the federal government:<\/p>\n Additionally, land-based wind, nuclear, solar and biomass technological advancements, and a proposed natural gas pipeline are factors in ongoing coastal energy discussions.<\/p>\n Lisa Schiavinato, North Carolina Sea Grant\u2019s law, policy and community development specialist, was among experts addressing opportunities, timelines, and policy implications of energy initiatives on the state\u2019s horizon.<\/p>\n Schiavinato, who also serves as co-director of the N.C. Coastal Resources Law, Planning and Policy Center, has done extensive research and analysis of the potential for coastal wind energy projects in North Carolina.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s exciting to be part of a diverse discussion about the state\u2019s energy needs and opportunities,\u201d Schiavinato said of the summit. \u201cIt provided an overview of where we are now and where we are going. It also whet the appetite for further discussion to address how we will get there.\u201d<\/p>\n One needed step is forging a comprehensive state energy policy that recognizes federal, state and local government jurisdictions and balances economic interests with environmental concerns.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s important for North Carolina not only to have a place at the table, but to have a voice in discussions that shape future energy policies that protect the state\u2019s interests,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n How the policy is interpreted to the public also will be extremely important.<\/p>\n \u201cThe public will need to be assured that the state is pursuing a holistic energy policy based on law, reliable research and data analysis, and best management practices for the use of all energy resources,\u201d Schiavinato pointed out.<\/p>\n While constructing wind farms along North Carolina\u2019s coast is years away, Schiavinato said it\u2019s important to learn from processes and projects under way in other coastal areas. The primary lesson may be one of patience.<\/p>\n For example, the Cape Wind project off Cape Cod has been on the drawing board for more than a decade, with the proposal moving among federal oversight agencies while federal guidelines coalesced.<\/p>\n 130 turbines are poised for construction 4.5 miles from shore in Nantucket Sound and Horseshoe Shoals. The first offshore operation of its kind in the country, it is projected to produce 75 percent of the energy needs for Cape Cod and Martha\u2019s Vineyard.<\/p>\n Panelist Brian O\u2019Hara, president and founder of the Southeast Coastal Wind Coalition, said the biggest challenge for offshore wind farms is cost. \u201cThe industry is making great strides in bringing costs down.\u201d<\/p>\n For example, he suggests that energy generated from wind farms within in two study areas off the coast of Wilmington potentially could offset development costs in a very few years.<\/p>\n Additionally, design standards and the science of site selection for wind turbines are addressing concerns raised by critics. These include potential harm to avian and marine life; resilience to major weather events; and deference to commercial and military shipping lanes.<\/p>\n \u201cCoastal states need to make certain their interests are protected. The issue is how we nurture the offshore energy industry in a way that protects current industries, such as tourism and fishing,\u201d Schiavinto said.<\/p>\n Lisa Schiavinato develops partnerships with federal, state and local agencies to address North Carolina\u2019s coastal and ocean policy issues. Her recent projects have analyzed\u00a0North Carolina\u2019s coastal wind energy potential,\u00a0recommended ocean management strategies<\/a>\u00a0and recommended strategies for managing the state\u2019s estuarine shoreline<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n