Ocean Renewable

Ocean Renewable is a newly formed trade association founded to promote energy technologies from clean, renewable ocean resources.

OREC: The Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition (OREC) is a one year old, Washington D.C. based trade association dedicated to the advancement and commercialization of offshore renewables, including offshore wind, ocean wave, OTEC and ocean and stream based tidal and current (hydrokinetic) technologies whether used for power generation, desalinization or hydrogen production. Our members include developers, vendors, venture capital firms, law firms, consultants and individuals who work in or support the emergence of a robust offshore renewable industry. This past year, OREC lobbied for federal funding for offshore renewable projects and tax incentives to stimulate private investment. On the regulatory side, OREC has worked closely with Mineral Management Service (MMS) to develop an alternate energy leasing program on the Outer Continental Shelf and programmatic EIS and with FERC, to streamline the licensing process for wave and tidal technologies and guard against site banking.

OREC FOUNDERS:
Sean O'Neill
Co-Founder & President
Sean O’Neill is co-founder and president of the Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition. He is also founder and principal of Symmetrix Public Relations & Communication Strategies where he serves the non-profit, energy, and human resources industries. Prior to founding Symmetrix, Mr. O’Neill served as Director of Public Affairs for U.S. Generating Company from 1993 to 2001. Has has served numerous non-profit and non-governmental organizations in developing programs to encourage the development of ocean renewable technologies, electric industry deregulation, water conservation, municipal solid waste management and public safety contributing to broad public policy changes at state and federal levels, increased water and energy conservation, recycling, and seat belt use. His publications include: "Public Acceptance: A Siting Imperative," for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers; "Teaming Legal and Communication Services," for Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly; "Minority Participation in Government Contracting,"
for the County of San Diego; and, "Disaster Preparedness Capabilities in San Diego County," for the National Science Foundation.

Sean has a Masters in Public Communications from American University where he has served on the adjunct faculty and holds an A.B. degree in English from Columbia College in New York.

CAROLYN ELEFANT
OREC CEO/Legislative Director
Carolyn Elefant is an attorney with her own law firm, the Law Offices of Carolyn Elefant in Washington D.C. (www.carolynelefant.com) where she specializes in energy regulatory law, renewable energy development, ocean and FERC hydroelectric licensing and general litigation and appellate matters. Elefant has represented ocean energy developers both in the U.S. and abroad for over a decade and is an internationally recognized expert and speaker on ocean energy issues. Ms. Elefant has presented papers on ocean energy legal and regulatory issues before the National Academy of Sciences, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Insitute's Consortium on Offshore Wind, the National Hydropower Association, American Wind Energy Association, the Marine Technology Society and various other fora. Elefant maintains a weblog on offshore renewables at www.renewablesoffshore.blogspot.com.

Ms. Elefant holds a B.A . from Brandeis University in Waltham Massachusetts and a JD from Cornell Law School. Prior to starting her firm, she served as an attorney advisor on hydroelectric licensing matters at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and as a associate attorney at the national law firm of Duncan & Allen. She is also of counsel to the Law Offices of Scott Hempling ( www.hemplinglaw.com)

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Sean O'Neill 301-869-3790
soneill@symmetrix.biz

Carolyn Elefant 202-297-6100
carolyn.elefant@gmail.com