Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act

Full Title:
Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act

Summary#

This bill creates the Marine Energy Acceleration Fund and authorizes $1,000,000,000 to support marine energy (for example tidal and wave energy) work. The Department of Energy (Secretary) would run competitive solicitations to fund at least 20 demonstration projects that export power to microgrids, community grids, or utility grids. The bill directs funding and priorities for demonstrations, research and development, facility upgrades, technical resource assessments at 50 sites, permitting improvements, and workforce activities. Agencies listed for coordination include the National Marine Energy Centers, NOAA, BOEM, FERC, the Army Corps of Engineers, and National Laboratories. The bill sets deadlines for reports and assessments: a permitting task force report to Congress within 1 year and a national workforce assessment within 2 years.

What it means for you#

  • The bill funds demonstrations and research of marine energy technologies and related facility upgrades.
  • At least 20 demonstration projects would be selected, with priority for projects that connect to existing transmission or have permits in place, test open-water prototypes, and support rural, remote, Tribal, and low-income communities.
  • The bill requires technical assessments at at least 50 sites and sharing of collected data with public data repositories.
  • A federal task force must report on permitting barriers and recommendations within 1 year.
  • A national workforce assessment is required within 2 years, and workforce development programs would follow, prioritizing communities near demonstration projects.

Expenses#

  • Total authorized appropriation: $1,000,000,000 (to remain available until expended).
  • Demonstration projects: $600,000,000.
  • Technology research and development activities: $230,000,000.
  • Education activities through National Marine Energy Centers: $20,000,000.
  • Technical resource assessments at 50 sites: $50,000,000.
  • Permitting improvement funds: $5,000,000 to the Department of Energy, $5,000,000 to FERC, and $5,000,000 to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (total $15,000,000).
  • Workforce activities: $85,000,000.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.