US Representatives introduce Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act

US Congresswomen Nanette Barragán (CA-44) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) have introduced the Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act, which will invest $1 billion to advance marine energy toward full scale commercialisation.

Marine energy harnesses the power from waves, tides, currents, and other water-based resources. The act would provide 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 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.”

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“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 Bonamici.

The legislation is co-sponsored by Bonamici (Ore.), Ed Case (Hawaii), Rashida Tlaib (Mich.), Kevin Mullin (Calif.), Val Hoyle (Ore.), Troy Carter (La.), Salud Carbajal (Calif.) and Anne Kuster (N.H.).

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. The demonstration will see Eco Wave Power install the first US onshore wave energy pilot station in the coming months.

“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, chief executive officer of AltaSea. “With this bill, Representative Barragán puts wave and tidal energy on the map — and does so in a very meaningful way.”

Inna Braverman, founder and CEO of Eco Wave Power commented: “The US is becoming a global leader on climate initiatives, and this new federal legislation further demonstrates the US leadership across the world. We believe that wave energy has massive potential, and we will soon be demonstrating our pioneering technology at the Port of Los Angeles and showcasing that wave energy can be a significant force in combating climate change and powering our communities with clean, reliable energy sourced from the endless power of the ocean."

Click here to read the full text of the bill.

Originally published by Elizabeth Ingram on hydroreview.com