Offshore Renewable Energy Development Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to enter into agreements with specified persons to assess and identify sites in the coastal zone and in the exclusive economic zone of the United States for the location of facilities to generate renewable electric energy.
Restricts such agreements to persons with no direct financial interest in any offshore renewable electric energy generation project.
Establishes the Offshore Electric Power Generation Trust Fund to finance projects approved by the Secretary.
Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide grants from the Fund to domestic private and public entities to stimulate development of offshore renewable electric energy generation; and (2) implement a program to provide job training and career assistance in the offshore renewable generation industry.
Authorizes appropriations to: (1) assist coastal states in planning to identify sites for offshore renewable energy projects; (2) assist offshore renewable energy research and development, including technology development; (3) establish marine renewable energy centers and the testing and validation of offshore wave, wind, and tidal energy technologies; (4) streamline permitting for renewable energy technology that promotes technology interaction with certain permit issuing agencies; (5) address, through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, regional strategic planning, public education, and outreach to promote improved public understanding of the benefits of offshore renewable energy; and (6) assess large-scale project siting issues.
[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
[H.R. 7142 Introduced in House (IH)]
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7142
To provide for assessment and identification of sites as appropriate
for the location of offshore renewable electric energy generation
facilities, to provide funding for offshore renewable electric energy
generation projects, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 26, 2008
Mr. Delahunt (for himself, Mr. Michaud, and Mr. McGovern) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources and
Science and Technology, 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 provide for assessment and identification of sites as appropriate
for the location of offshore renewable electric energy generation
facilities, to provide funding for offshore renewable electric energy
generation projects, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Offshore Renewable Energy
Development Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) The United States needs additional sources of renewable
energy in order to address the problems of climate change, meet
renewable energy portfolio standards, diversify our energy mix,
and become more energy independent. The development of a
diverse supply of energy and additional alternatives to foreign
fuels is important for our national security.
(2) The coastal waters of the United States possess
significant offshore wave, tidal, and wind energy resources.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has stated that these
wind, wave and tide, and ocean-based sources of energy possess
over 50 percent of America's total renewable energy potential.
(3) The Department of Energy estimates that more than
900,000 megawatts (MW) of potential renewable energy exists off
the coasts of the United States. This amount of energy is
roughly the total current United States-installed electrical
capacity of the entire country, and most of this energy is
located near major population centers, where energy costs are
high. 900,000 megawatts of offshore wind generation capacity
would produce about 3,547,800,000 megawatt hours of electricity
each year. This is the same amount of energy as is contained in
1,927,042,446 barrels of oil, or about 25 percent of total oil
consumption in the United States each year.
(4) Offshore wind energy alone has the potential to produce
about 3,548 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year,
which is 87 percent of the electricity generated in the United
States in 2006. Slightly more than half of the country's
identified offshore renewable energy is located off the New
England and Mid-Atlantic Coasts.
(5) Approximately 90 percent of the 900,000 MW of potential
offshore wind energy is located in Federal waters, beyond 5
nautical miles from shore. Approximately 10 percent (98,000 MW)
is estimated to be near shore in waters less than 30 meters
deep.
(6) In Europe, governments have recognized the enormous
potential for offshore renewable energy, have identified sites
for offshore energy, and have developed ambitious policy goals
based on harnessing this resource. Germany and the other States
of the European Union have been working towards a target of 12
percent renewable energy by 2010. Because this target was
surpassed in 2007. On April 26, 2008, Germany announced that
this target would rise to 27 percent by 2020.
(7) With regard to wind energy, most of these European
sites are in deeper waters where cutting-edge technology is
being developed to harness these offshore wind energy
resources. The current depth of existing technology is 120
feet, but newer technologies are being pilot tested for even
deeper waters.
(8) Offshore ocean energy development can generate hundreds
of thousands of jobs. According to the Renewable Energy Policy
Project, 74,000 MW of renewables, primarily from wind energy in
the United States would require 380,000 new manufacturing jobs
for component parts; 36,000 U.S. firms already produce similar
products that could serve the growing market
(9) The United States also possesses the scientific and
technical capacity to generate renewable energy from the ocean,
including from wave, wind, and tidal sources. Scientists and
other industry experts believe that, at a minimum, the United
States Government should provide a policy framework to guide
the appropriate development of these resources. Such a
framework is imperative for the identification of offshore
sites and the rapid development of these resources in general.
SEC. 3. IDENTIFICATION OF OFFSHORE SITES FOR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
FACILITIES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the
Secretary of Commerce and State coastal zone management agencies
administering coastal zone management programs approved under the
Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.), shall
enter into agreements with persons described in subsection (b)
providing for assessment and identification by such persons of sites in
the coastal zone (as that term is defined in that Act) and in the
exclusive economic zone of the United States that are appropriate for
the location of facilities to generate renewable electric energy.
(b) Eligibility To Perform Assessments and Identification.--The
Secretary of Energy shall enter into agreements under subsection (a)
only with persons who do not and will not have any direct financial
interest in any offshore renewable electric energy generation project,
including State agencies referred to in subsection (a), local and
regional governments, and universities and other academic institutions.
(c) Consistency With Coastal Zone Management Programs.--For
purposes of section 307 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16
U.S.C. 1456), any activity for the construction, operation, or
maintenance of a facility for offshore renewable electric energy
generation in a location that is identified under this section as
appropriate for that type of facility is deemed to be consistent with
the enforceable policies of any approved State coastal zone management
program of any affected coastal State.
SEC. 4. OFFSHORE ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION FUND.
(a) Establishment of Fund .--There is hereby established within the
Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the Offshore
Electric Power Generation Trust Fund (hereinafter in this section
referred to as the ``Fund''), consisting of such amounts as may be
transferred to the Fund as provided in this section. Amounts in the
Fund may be used only to finance projects approved by the Secretary of
Energy under this section.
(b) Transfer of Amounts.--Subject to annual appropriations, the
Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Fund out of the general
fund of the Treasury of the United States $100,000,000 for each fiscal
year after the enactment of this section.
(c) Investment of Fund Moneys.--
(1) In general.--It shall be the duty of the Secretary of
the Treasury to invest such portion of the Fund as is not, in
the Secretary's judgment, required to meet current withdrawals.
Such investments may be made only in interest-bearing
obligations of the United States or in obligations guaranteed
as to both principal and interest by the United States. For
such purpose, such obligations may be acquired on original
issue at the issue price or by purchase of outstanding
obligations at the market price. Any obligation acquired by the
Fund may be sold by the Secretary of the Treasury at the market
price.
(2) Interest and proceeds.--The interest on, and the
proceeds from the sale or redemption of, any obligations held
in the Fund shall be credited to and form a part of the Fund.
(d) Availability of Amounts From Fund.--From amounts available in
the Fund (including any amounts not obligated in previous fiscal
years), the Secretary of Energy is authorized to provide grants to
private and public entities (or public-private partnerships) in the
United States to stimulate the development of offshore renewable
electric energy generation. The Secretary shall provide such grants
only to entities that themselves provide funds on a matching basis.
Such grants shall be provided for programs or projects that achieve one
or more of the following objectives:
(1) Technical research related to offshore energy
development.
(2) Planning and siting of offshore energy development
projects.
(3) Demonstration and pilot offshore renewable energy
generation projects, particularly those which may subsequently
be expanded to a commercial scale.
(4) Expansion, to a commercial scale, of demonstration and
pilot offshore renewable energy generation projects funded
under paragraph (3).
(5) Job training and career assistance under section 4.
(e) Designation of Sites.--The Secretary of Energy, in consultation
with the Governors of affected coastal States, and after public notice
and opportunity for comment, shall designate sites throughout the
coastlines of the United States that the Secretary finds provide the
greatest potential for being suitable and appropriate for the
development of offshore renewable energy generation. No funds may be
made available under this section for the planning, siting, or
development of any project that is not located in a site designated by
the Secretary under this section.
SEC. 5. OFFSHORE RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT FUNDING.
(a) Offshore Site Assessment and Planning Assistance.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Energy $25,000,000 to
assist coastal States in planning to identify appropriate sites for
offshore renewable energy projects, including sites appropriate for
demonstration and testing of offshore wind, wave, and tidal energy
technologies.
(b) Offshore Renewable Energy Technology Development Assistance.--
There is authorized to be appropriated $160,000,000 for offshore
renewable energy research and development, and technology development
assistance. Funds appropriated under this subsection shall be used to
promote advances in technology in collaboration with marine renewable
energy centers and technology manufacturers. Such funds may also be
used to provide infrastructure assistance for projects at sites that
are identified under section 3, that are approved in a State's coastal
zone management plan.
(c) Marine Renewable Energy Centers.--There is authorized to be
appropriated by the Secretary of Energy and the National Science
Foundation a total of $80,000,000 to establish and support marine
renewable energy centers. Funds appropriated under this subsection
shall be used to facilitate private- and public-sector collaborations
in offshore renewable energy. Marine renewable energy centers to which
such funds are provided shall use such funds to work with State
officials in planning and designation of offshore renewable energy
sites, identifying economic development opportunities for affected
coastal communities, and coordinating the establishment of test
centers.
(d) Marine Renewable Energy Testing.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Energy $100,000,000 to establish and
support the testing and validation of offshore wave, wind, and tidal
energy technologies, including wind energy blades, offshore platforms,
and emerging offshore renewable energy technologies. Funds appropriated
under this subsection shall be used for the development and operation
of test center facilities, including in-water test sites, and for the
monitoring of the performance of technologies and of environmental
impacts for a period of 3 years.
(e) Streamlined Permit Projects.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Interior $20,000,000 for streamlined
permitting for individual and multiple offshore renewable energy
technology demonstration sites and projects that promote closer science
and technology interaction with the Department of Energy, the National
Science Foundation, and other permit issuing agencies.
(f) Education, Outreach, Strategic Planning and Collaboration.--
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Energy
$40,000,000 for other resources needed to address, through the National
Renewable Energy Laboratory, regional strategic planning, public
education, and outreach to promote a better public understanding of the
benefits of offshore renewable energy and to assess large-scale project
siting issues.
(g) Job Training and Career Program.--The Secretary of Energy may
carry out a program to provide job training and career assistance in
the offshore renewable generation industry.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Science and Technology, 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.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Science and Technology, 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.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Science and Technology, 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.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Science and Technology, 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.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Llama 3.2 · runs locally in your browser
Ask anything about this bill. The AI reads the full text to answer.
Enter to send · Shift+Enter for new line