concern from some quarters — including
environmental groups — about rapid
industrialization of the ocean, and whether New
Jerseyans will react as negatively to floating
buoys near the shore as many of them have thus
far regarding the prospect of windmills on the
distant horizon.
Assemblyman Don Guardian, a Republican from
Atlantic City, raised the possibility of objections
from swimmers or surfers to near-shore projects.
Inna Braverman, CEO of the Swedish company Eco
Wave Power, said her firm’s products are designed
to operate close to shore, connecting to existing
structures like bulkheads and piers. Swimmers
and surfers tend to stay away from those areas,
she said.
She said her company’s floaters in Gibraltar
only protrude about 3 feet (1 meter) above the
water line. Additional projects are planned or
underway already in Portgual, Israel and Los
Angeles, she said.
“It’s not like wind turbines that influence the
scenery because they have to be very high,”
she said.
Karabinchak acknowledged there could be some
push-back from coastal residents who don’t want
to look at or swim near such projects. But he said
the environmental benefits of wave power should
help overcome such opposition.
“I know the typical answer from the public is
always ‘no,’” he said. “But this is important for
the future.”
Marcus Lehmann, CEO of Berkeley, California-
based CalWave Power Technologies, said his
company’s products operate entirely under the