RNI (Renewable Energy Installations)
This page is designed to assist developers of Offshore Renewable Energy Installations (OREI) with the design and planning of these projects in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. The term OREI is used by the Coast Guard to describe any individual structure or apparatus placed in the navigable waters of the United States that creates electricity by using sources other than oil or gas. Examples include wind farms and hydrokinetic apparatus such as buoys or wave and current turbines.
The Coast Guard oversees two aspects of OREI projects:
1. Risk Assessment:
Reviewing the applicant's Navigation Safety Plan to determine if the installation will pose potential adverse impacts to the users of the waterway. This is accomplished by conducting a Risk Assessment.
Risk Assessments are conducted by the USCG Sector Puget Sound Waterways Management Branch office located in Seattle for projects north of Grays Harbor including the Strait of Juan De Fuca and Puget Sound as well as the northern part of Idaho and all of Montana.
Risk Assessments are conducted by the USCG Sector Columbia River Waterways Management Branch office located at Marine Safety Unit Portland for project in Grays Harbor and south to the California boarder including the Columbia and Snake Rivers as well as southern Idaho.
2. PATON Requirements:
Determining if the installation will require Private Aids to Navigation (PATON), which include the use of navigation lights and/or regulatory signs as well as buoys. These are used to warn mariners of the presence of the installation. For more information regarding what a PATON is click here.
USCG District 13 Waterways Management Branch located in Seattle is responsible for the permitting of Private Aids to Navigation (PATON) in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana.
Public Notification of OREI projects located with the 13th Coast Guard District:
Coast Guard Information regarding OREI projects located in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana will be distributed via the Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNM) and Local Notice to Mariners (LNM). Click here to learn more about the BNM and LNM public notice system.
Additional Information:
For information regarding the Coast Guard's role in the management of OREI projects click here.
To read FERCs paper addressing Hydrokinetic Pilot Project Licensing Procedures click here.
For guidance on the Coast Guard's roles and responsibilities for OREI projects click here.
For information about Offshore Renewable Energy Installations (OREI) located within the 13th Coast Guard District (Washington and Oregon) contact the PATON Manager.
Commander (dpw)
13th Coast Guard District
915 2nd Avenue, Room 3510
Seattle, WA. 98174-1067
Attn: PATON Manager
Phone: (206) 220-7285
D13-SMB-D13-PATON@uscg.mil
Report discrepancies with marine aids to navigation to the nearest Coast Guard Sector office!
Portland (833) 769-8724 / Seattle (206) 217-6002