H.R. 7129

110 HR 7129 IH: Water Power Research and Development Reauthorization Act
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2026-01-16
 text/xml
 EN
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 I  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  H. R. 7129  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   January 16, 2026   Ms. Bonamici  (for herself and  Mr. Begich ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the  Committee on Science, Space, and Technology , and in addition to the Committee on  Education and Workforce , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned   A BILL
To amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to reauthorize water power research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Water Power Research and Development Reauthorization Act  .
2.
Water power research and development
Subtitle C of title VI of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 ( Public Law 110–140 ;  42 U.S.C. 17211 et seq. ) is amended—
(1)
in section 633 ( 42 U.S.C. 17212 ; relating to water power technology research, development, and demonstration)—
(A)
in paragraph (1), by striking  capacity and reduce the cost  inserting  capacity or efficiency, and reduce the cost, ; and
(B)
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(5)
To advance scalable, United States-based manufacturing of composite and additive manufactured marine energy components through collaborations with regional universities and industry, including advanced composite research facilities and additive manufacturing facilities.
 ;
(2)
in section 634 ( 42 U.S.C. 17213 ; relating to hydropower research, development, and demonstration)—
(A)
in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting  generation,  after  efficiency, ;
(B)
in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting  , cybersecurity,  after  physical ;
(C)
by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
(3)
study, in conjunction with other relevant Federal agencies, State agencies, local agencies, and Tribal entities (including Alaska Native Corporations), as appropriate, methods to improve the hydropower licensing process, including by compiling current environmental data and studies, accepted best practices, public comments, and methodologies to assess the full range of potential environmental and economic impacts;
 ;
(D)
in paragraph (6)—
(i)
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking  develop methods and technologies to improve environmental impact  and inserting  develop and support studies, methods, and technologies to assess and improve environmental impact ; and
(ii)
in subparagraph (D), by inserting  hydrology,  after  water quality ;
(E)
in paragraph (7)(G), by inserting  for hydropower and pumped storage applications  after  components ;
(F)
in paragraph (9), by inserting  , and project management and delivery strategies,  after  systems analysis ;
(G)
in paragraph (10)—
(i)
in subparagraph (B), by striking  and  at the end;
(ii)
in subparagraph (C), by inserting  and  after the semicolon; and
(iii)
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
(D)
improving methods for incorporating hydropower and pumped storage in grid modeling systems.
 ;
(H)
in paragraph (13), by striking  and  at the end; and
(I)
by striking paragraph (14) and inserting the following:
(14)
identify mechanisms and systems to test, validate, and improve performance and reliability of hydropower and pumped storage technologies; and
(15)
support workforce development programs, training, student-led research, and education and outreach activities to foster growth of the next generation of hydropower professionals and researchers.
 ;
(3)
in section 635(a) ( 42 U.S.C. 17214(a) ; relating to marine energy research, development, and demonstration) is amended—
(A)
in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking  infrastructure and facilities  and inserting  infrastructure, facilities, and equipment ;
(B)
in paragraph (4), by striking  , which may include smart building systems  and inserting  and microgrids, which may include smart energy management systems ;
(C)
in paragraph (5), by striking  maintaining a sustainable marine energy supply chain based in the United States  and inserting  establish and support manufacturing and an industrial marine energy supply chain based in the United States ;
(D)
in paragraph (9), by inserting  , which may include production of hydrogen and other transportation fuels  before the semicolon;
(E)
in paragraph (13), by inserting  utilization of advanced manufacturing processes, including the  after  such as the ;
(F)
in paragraph (17), by striking  ; and  and inserting  , including data centers, subsea or offshore power, and microgrids, sensors, and communications systems; ;
(G)
in paragraph (18)—
(i)
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking  to develop  and inserting  develop ; and
(ii)
by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:
(B)
for the generation and storage of power to promote the resilience of waterside communities, including high-energy tidal environments, and critical infrastructure (as such term is defined in section 1016(e) of  Public Law 107–56  ( 42 U.S.C. 5195c(e) )), including in applications relating to—
(i)
desalination;
(ii)
disaster recovery and resilience;
(iii)
aquaculture;
(iv)
marine carbon dioxide removal;
(v)
community microgrids in isolated power systems; and
(vi)
resilience and microgrid demonstration sites integrating marine energy and working waterfront economies.
 ; and
(H)
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(19)
develop, validate, and demonstrate marine energy systems designed for extreme tidal temperatures and icing conditions.
 ;
(4)
in section 636 ( 42 U.S.C. 17215 ; relating to National Marine Energy Centers)—
(A)
in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(4)
Whether the institution is a regional test site with the proven ability to demonstrate unique natural advantages, including high tidal ranges, strong currents, and cold-water operating conditions.
 ; and
(B)
in subsection (c)—
(i)
in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking  and National Laboratories,  and inserting  National Laboratories, and other relevant Federal agencies, ;
(ii)
in paragraph (2)(D), by striking  and  at the end;
(iii)
in paragraph (3), by striking the period and inserting  ; and ; and
(iv)
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(4)
support workforce development, training, student-led research programs, and development and dissemination of curriculum, education, and outreach activities to foster growth of the next generation of marine energy professionals and researchers.
 ;
(5)
in section 637 ( 42 U.S.C. 17216 ; relating to organization and administration of programs)—
(A)
in subsection (b)—
(i)
in paragraph (1), by inserting  other domestic and  after  Alaska Native Corporations, and ;
(ii)
in paragraph (3), by striking  (including the United States Agency for International Development)  and inserting  , including the Department of State and the International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce, ; and
(iii)
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(4)
Interagency coordination
The Secretary shall seek to coordinate with the National Sea Grant College Program and the Department of Commerce to leverage existing ocean networks and coastal innovation initiatives.
 ;
(B)
in subsection (f), by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
(2)
workforce development and training activities in collaboration with regional workforce hubs, including institutions of higher education, Tribal Colleges and Universities (including Alaska-Native serving institutions), land grant and sea grant institutions, foundations, non-profit organizations, and maritime academies, to support education, recruitment, and the dissemination of standards and best practices for enabling water power production, including hydropower and marine energy collegiate competitions, graduate student research program and fellowships relating to marine energy, and other workforce programs.
 ;
(C)
in subsection (g)(1), by striking  an annual  and inserting  a biennial ; and
(D)
by amending subsection (h) to read as follows:
(g)
Briefing to Congress
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this subsection, and at least once every two years thereafter, the Secretary shall provide a briefing to the relevant authorizing and appropriations committees of Congress and make available to the public the findings of research conducted and activities carried out pursuant to this subtitle, including the most current strategic plan under subsection (g) and the progress made in implementing such plan.
 ; and
(6)
by amending section 639 ( 42 U.S.C. 17218 ; relating to authorization of appropriations) by striking  $186,600,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025, including $137,428,378 for marine energy and $49,171,622 for hydropower research, development, and demonstration activities  and inserting  $300,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, including $200,000,000 for marine energy and $100,000,000 for hydropower research, development, and demonstration activities .