The Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act would provide unprecedented levels of funding to the Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office for demonstration projects, research and development, detailed resource potential mapping, workforce development, and more efficient permitting processes.
“Nearly 40 percent of the US population lives in coastal communities where marine energy resources are abundant and offer tremendous potential to power our communities with clean, renewable energy, including California,” said Rep. Barragán. “With the Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act, we can usher in an emerging clean energy resource to help our nation and our communities meet clean energy and decarbonization goals, reduce pollution, and create high-paying jobs.
“The scale of the climate crisis requires us to use every possible approach to rapidly transition to a clean energy economy. Marine energy has the potential to tap into the immense power of the ocean, but the industry’s progress has been hampered by inconsistent and limited federal investment. I’m grateful to introduce the Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act with Representative Barragán to catalyze the development of the marine energy field and support the coastal communities where technology demonstrations occur. These investments will create good clean technology jobs and reduce climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions,” said Rep. Bonamici.
There is an upcoming marine energy demonstration project by Eco Wave Power at Altasea, a public-private ocean technology hub at the Port of Los Angeles dedicated to growing the blue economy. Eco Wave Power is set to install the first US onshore wave energy pilot station at the port in the coming months.
The legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (Ore.), Ed Case (Hawaii), Rashida Tlaib (Mich.), Kevin Mullin (Calif.), Val Hoyle (Ore.), Troy Carter (La.), Salud Carbajal (Calif.), and Anne Kuster (NH).
The legislation is supported by the following organizations and businesses: Altasea, Anacapa Wave, Aquantis, Atlantic Marine Energy Center, Biosonics, Bluewater Network, C-Power, CalWave, Cardinal Engineering, DLZ Corporation, Ecomerit, Eco Wave Power, Emrgy, FluxMagic Inc., Hawaii Marine Energy Center, Hydrokinetic Energy Corp., Littoral Power, Marine Energy Council, National Hydropower Association, Ocean Conservancy, Ocean Energy USA Inc., Ocean Power Technologies, Ocean Renewable Power Company, Oscilla Power, Pacific Environment, Pacific Marine Energy Center, Pacific Ocean Energy Trust, PacWave, PB Mechanical Consulting Service, Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center, Streamwise Development, Tidal Energy Corp., Tide Mill Institute, Thompson Metal Fab, Triton Systems, Verdant Power Water Bros Desel, and 3U Technologies.
The full text of the bill can be found HERE.
