FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
31 July 2024
Contact: Kevin McGuire, 202-538-2386 (mobile)
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representatives Nanette Barragán (CA-44) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) introduced the Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act, legislation that would invest $1 billion to advance marine energy toward full scale commercialization. Marine Energy harnesses the power from waves, tides, currents, and other water-based resources to generate a clean energy resource that can provide reliable 24/7 clean power to communities.
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 U.S. 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 U.S. onshore wave energy pilot station in the coming months at the port.
“For too long, this useful source of power has had a back seat to investments in other renewable and non-renewable forms of energy,” said Terry Tamminen, CEO of AltaSea. “With this bill, Representative Barragán puts wave and tidal energy on the map — and does so in a very meaningful way.”
“The Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act provides a significant opportunity to leverage American innovation and ensure that the United States remains a leader in these emerging renewable energy technologies,” said NHA President and CEO, Malcolm Woolf. “This legislation is crucial to growing marine energy, driving private sector investment, creating good jobs and delivering sustainable energy solutions for our communities. NHA applauds Rep. Barragán for helping to secure a clean energy future for Californians and all Americans through efforts like this.”
“CalWave wholeheartedly supports the Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act. By advancing marine energy toward full commercialization, we directly benefit local communities through stable and predictable energy security and energy independence. Additionally, this progress contributes to economic growth by creating high-paying jobs and promotes environmental sustainability by generating clean power.” said Marcus Lehmann, CalWave CEO.
“Renewable energy goes beyond solar and wind, and we’ll need a mix of sources to ensure everyone is included in the clean energy transition,” said Pasha Feinberg, Director of Renewable Energy for Ocean Conservancy. “Wave and tidal energy are especially critical for remote island and small coastal communities, who currently have no choice but to import costly fossil fuels, as they seek more energy independence. The Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act is the legislation we need to catalyze the responsible development of marine renewable energy, support these ocean communities, and move the U.S. towards a just transition while mitigating climate change. We are grateful to Representatives Barragán and Bonamici for introducing this critical legislation, and we urge Congress to pass this bill quickly.”
“The Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act has the opportunity to position the United States as the market leader in this exciting industry, forecasted to reach over $50 billion in annual revenues by 2050. With the funding provided in this legislation, the U.S. stands to not only benefit from the baseload renewable electricity that will be provided from marine energy deployments, but also from the potential creation of thousands of high-paying U.S. jobs in manufacturing and vessel operations. With 38 U.S.-based employees, suppliers in 25 states and inbound interest from more than 60 countries, ORPC is excited to see this funding support as the company is poised to both supply U.S. rivers and tidal streams with its technology and export its power systems globally. Overall, this legislation will help U.S. companies to compete effectively with developers in Europe and Asia who have seen a decade or more of consistent government funding,” said Stuart Davies, Ocean Renewable Power Company CEO.
“I would like to thank the Honorable Nanette Barragán and her staff for their leadership in developing the historic and visionary “Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act of 2024. This bill would authorize $1 billion in federal funding to support marine energy technology demonstration projects, additional research and development, site specific technical resource assessments, creation of a task force for permitting improvement, and fund workforce development efforts. It is an incredible investment in the marine energy industry that is commercializing quickly,” said Chris Lee, Tidal Energy Corp CEO.
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.
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Congressmember Nanette Barragán represents California’s 44th District. She sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and works on environmental justice and healthcare issues. She is also Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC).