Blue Ocean Energy Innovation Act of 2024
This bill provides for the research and development of blue energy technologies, which are technologies that (1) derive or generate energy from renewable energy resources or capture, remove, and sequester greenhouse gases; and (2) are located in aquatic environments. Specifically, the Department of Energy (DOE) must establish and implement the Integrated Blue Economy and Blue Energy Technologies Program to provide funding for research and development of such technologies for purposes such as
DOE must establish a Blue Economy Center of Excellence to support the program. The center must be located at an existing DOE National Laboratory that is working to develop blue energy technologies, hosts a blue energy technology research and development program, and has other specified qualifications.
In carrying out the bill, DOE must coordinate with (1) other federal agencies that share mission objectives with the program; and (2) state and tribal agencies, institutions of higher education, nonprofit research institutions, and National Laboratories.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7722 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7722
To establish the Integrated Blue Economy and Blue Energy Technologies
Program, and a Blue Economy Center of Excellence, to support research
and development of blue energy technologies.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 19, 2024
Mr. Kilmer (for himself and Mr. Newhouse) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the Integrated Blue Economy and Blue Energy Technologies
Program, and a Blue Economy Center of Excellence, to support research
and development of blue energy technologies.
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 ``Blue Ocean Energy Innovation Act of
2024''.
SEC. 2. INTEGRATED BLUE ECONOMY AND BLUE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy shall establish and carry
out a program, to be known as the ``Integrated Blue Economy and Blue
Energy Technologies Program'', under which the Secretary of Energy
shall provide funding for research and development of blue energy
technologies for purposes of--
(1) decarbonizing activities that contribute to the blue
economy, including--
(A) improving port and other maritime
transportation infrastructure;
(B) producing algae for use as a biofuel, and for
other applications; and
(C) operating ocean- and water-based tourism
industries;
(2) increasing blue energy technology generation capacity
while reducing the cost to produce such energy;
(3) improving performance of blue energy technologies;
(4) capturing, removing, and sequestering greenhouse gases,
including carbon dioxide and methane;
(5) developing new blue energy technology market
opportunities;
(6) promoting job creation in the blue economy and blue
energy technology sectors;
(7) supporting the development of a skilled, diverse, and
inclusive blue economy workforce;
(8) remediating and improving coastal and aquatic
ecosystems;
(9) addressing technical and development challenges that
are unique to operating in marine and freshwater environments,
including by--
(A) developing tools, sensors, and models to
advance scientific understanding of metocean,
geotechnical, geophysical, and biological conditions in
marine and freshwater environments applicable to blue
energy technologies;
(B) advancing social science related to community
and industry engagement to inform future development;
(C) conducting feasibility analyses for energy
storage and microgrid deployments;
(D) planning for power transmission and
distribution;
(E) advancing technologies for anchoring and
mooring systems;
(F) addressing challenges of integrating with the
bulk-power system, especially in deep water
environments;
(G) deploying energy storage and charging
infrastructure; and
(H) developing advanced materials capable of
enduring harsh environmental conditions; and
(10) supporting any other activities as identified by the
Secretary.
(b) Crosscut Budget.--In carrying out the Integrated Blue Economy
and Blue Energy Technologies Program, the Secretary of Energy shall
prepare a crosscut budget based on the research and development
activities conducted by relevant Department of Energy offices,
including the following:
(1) The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
(2) The Office of Science.
(3) The Office of Electricity.
(4) The Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and
Emergency Response.
(5) The Advanced Research Projects Agency--Energy.
(6) The Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations.
(7) The Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated
such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section for
each of fiscal years 2024 through 2034.
(2) Supplement and not supplant.--The amounts authorized to
be appropriated under this subsection shall supplement, and not
supplant, any other amounts made available to the Department of
Energy.
SEC. 3. BLUE ECONOMY CENTER OF EXCELLENCE.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Energy shall establish a Blue
Economy Center of Excellence to support the Integrated Blue Economy and
Blue Energy Technologies Program established in section 2.
(b) Location.--The Blue Economy Center of Excellence shall be co-
located at an existing National Laboratory that--
(1) is working to develop blue energy technologies;
(2) hosts a blue energy technology research and development
program;
(3) is able to investigate and resolve environmental and
policy-related questions associated with the generation of blue
energy technology; and
(4) has direct access to natural ocean-based resources and
test sites.
(c) Facilities.--The Secretary of Energy may construct new
facilities or expand and upgrade existing facilities to establish the
Blue Economy Center of Excellence under subsection (a).
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section
and such amount is authorized to remain available until expended.
SEC. 4. INTERAGENCY COORDINATION, REPORTING, AND OVERSIGHT.
(a) Coordination.--In carrying out this Act, the Secretary of
Energy shall coordinate with--
(1) other Federal agencies that share mission objectives
with the Integrated Blue Economy and Blue Energy Technologies
Program, including the Maritime Administration of the
Department of Transportation, the National Science Foundation,
the Economic Development Administration of the Department of
Commerce, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the National
Marine Fisheries Service, the United States Army Corps of
Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, and the National Institute of
Standards and Technology; and
(2) State and Tribal government agencies, institutions of
higher education, nonprofit research institutions, and National
Laboratories.
(b) Annual Budget Materials.--The Secretary of Energy shall include
in the Department of Energy's annual budget materials submitted to the
Office of Management and Budget pursuant to section 1105 of title 31,
United States Code, a report on--
(1) with respect to the fiscal year preceding the fiscal
year for which such budget materials are submitted, the amount
of funds obligated and expended for research and development of
blue energy technologies across all line offices and programs
of the Department of Energy; and
(2) the projected expenditures necessary to fill any gaps
in funding for research and development of blue energy
technologies across all line offices and programs of the
Department of Energy.
SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Blue economy.--The term ``blue economy'' means the
sustainable use of ocean and aquatic resources to grow the
economy, improve livelihoods, and create jobs in a manner that
preserves the health of ocean and aquatic ecosystems.
(2) Blue energy technology.--The term ``blue energy
technology'' means any technology that--
(A)(i) derives or generates energy from a renewable
energy resource; or
(ii) captures, removes, and sequesters greenhouse
gases; and
(B) is located in an aquatic environment.
(3) Bulk-power system.--The term ``bulk-power system'' has
the meaning given such term in section 215(a) of the Federal
Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824o(a)).
(4) National laboratory.--The term ``National Laboratory''
has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
(5) Renewable energy resource.--The term ``renewable energy
resource'' has the meaning given such term in section 403 of
the Energy Security Act (42 U.S.C. 7372).
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
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