Today, Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL) reintroduced the Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Promotion Act of 2015, legislation to promote research and development into technologies that harness the energy generated by America's oceans.  This legislation will support innovative research underway at places like the Southeast Marine Renewable Energy Center, Florida Atlantic University's nationally-renowned marine-energy research institute.

Congressman Deutch's legislation, which has also been introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Angus King (I-ME), would reauthorize federal funding for grants, loans, and other assistance available to scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs working to develop and deploy clean and renewable "blue" energy.

"If we want to make clean, renewable energy available to the American people and limit the carbon pollution that is imperiling our planet, then marine and hydrokinetic energy must be part of our national strategy," said Congressman Ted Deutch. "Technology that harnesses the power generated by the waves, currents, and tides of our oceans shows tremendous promise. Yet for the scientists, entrepreneurs, and engineers working to accelerate the deployment of these technologies and make them commercially-viable, access to federal funding is absolutely essential."

H.R. 2220, the Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Act, would promote the research, development, and demonstration of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technology and streamline the regulatory process for these programs. The bill would reauthorize the Department of Energy’s Marine and Hydrokinetic programs, including our National Marine Renewable Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Centers.  

Read a copy of the legislation here.