Cleantech interests link the Northwest and the U.K.

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What do the United Kingdom and the Pacific Northwest have in common? No, not the rain . . . the resources.

Recently, Miller Nash LLP co-hosted an event with the British American Business Council, U.K. Trade and Investment, and Business Oregon. It featured a panel discussion about the differences and similarities of doing business in the U.K. and the Pacific Northwest. Several themes emerged during the panel: Both regions have culturally similar ways of doing business, well-trained professionals, and strong government and policy support for renewable-energy and cleantech development.

As progressive as the Pacific Northwest is in the renewable-energy area, the U.K. is many strides ahead in several ways. With fewer, or at least more streamlined, permitting and licensing requirements, U.K. developers, particularly of research and development projects, are able to move projects along relatively quickly. As a result, there is often more data available and technological advances are achieved more quickly, helping drive the industry forward.

Northwest companies are able to capitalize on these advantages by doing business in the U.K. or with U.K. companies. This is particularly true in the area of marine and offshore renewables. Tidal power, offshore wind, and wave energy, for example, have significant potential in the U.K. and present significant opportunity to U.K. and PNW companies alike.

Often, doing business in a foreign jurisdiction can be significantly more difficult than operating in the U.S. But doing business in the U.K., a member of the European Union and one of the largest economies in the world, eliminates many of the challenges that must be accommodated in other regions.

Business professionals in the United Kingdom and the Pacific Northwest have a very similar approach to how they conduct business. Office hours are generally the same (although the time change between countries can be bothersome), cultural differences are relatively minimal compared to other countries, and the U.K. and the PNW share a common language — more or less. There is ample access to qualified service providers in the U.K. Renewable-energy developers can source legal professionals, engineers and environmental consultants in the U.K. and will find that the level of education, training, and professionalism is at least comparable to what would be found locally.

The U.K. also has a significant commitment to renewable-energy and cleantech development. Like the Northwest, the U.K. has adopted renewable-energy and carbon-reduction targets and incentives for displacing fossil fuels, creating not only a demand for technological innovation and development, but also a business climate friendly to foreign investment.

The factors that make the U.K. an attractive place for Oregon companies to do business also make Oregon appealing to international business and investment — highly skilled professionals and service providers, a bounty of natural resources, and a business culture that encourages innovation. It is less clear, however, whether Oregon continues to have the necessary political will and policy support to continue to lead in these sectors.

As incentives offered by the state are cut back, it has become increasingly difficult to attract investment to Oregon. Inconsistency and confusion in the administration of state-sponsored incentive programs that remain active indicate a lack of strong and effective leadership on energy policy.

We have an opportunity to look at solutions found in other regions and countries, including the United Kingdom, for finding new ways to subsidize renewable-energy development in order to stimulate growth. Perhaps by looking at incentives and programs outside of our region, and finding the leadership necessary to implement new ideas, Oregon will continue to be competitive with the U.K. and nations like it.

Michelle Slater is a partner at Miller Nash LLP.