US Congresswomen Nanette Barragán and Suzanne Bonamici have brought to Congress their Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act, new legislation that would invest $1 bn in advancing marine energy towards full scale commercialisation.
The Act would provide unprecedented levels of funding to the Department of Energy’s Waterpower Technologies Office for demonstration projects, research and development, detailed resource potential mapping, workforce development, and more efficient permitting processes.
Ms Barragán commented: “With [the Act], we can usher in an emerging clean energy resource to help our nation and our communities meet clean energy and decarbonisation goals”.
“Marine energy has [immense] potential, but the industry’s progress has been hampered by inconsistent and limited federal investment. [The Act] would catalyse the development of the marine energy field and support the coastal communities where technology demonstrations occur,” said Ms Bonamici.
This federal legislation parallels the upcoming wave energy demonstration project to be implemented by Eco Wave Power and Shell MRE at Altasea, Port of Los Angeles, where Eco Wave Power will install the first US onshore wave energy pilot station during the coming months.
