WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Nannette Barragán (D-CA-44) and Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01) introduced the Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act, a bill that would establish a 1 billion dollar fund to advance marine renewable energy, including wave and tidal energy, in the United States. Ocean Conservancy experts worked closely with Congressional offices to craft this bill in alignment with the principles in Ocean Conservancy’s recently released brief, Protecting the Ocean and Supporting Rural Coastal Communities through Responsible Marine Renewable Energy. Ryan Ono, author of the brief and manager of climate policy at Ocean Conservancy, issued the following statement:

“The key to a successful clean energy transition will be having a diverse set of renewable options that can meet the needs of our diverse population. The ocean quite literally has the power to provide us with these options. We applaud Representative Barragán and Representative Bonamici’s leadership in helping propel environmentally responsible marine renewable energy technologies forward by establishing a robust and dedicated fund that will get them off the ground and into the water.

“While offshore wind has the potential to support America’s major population centers, smaller or more remote communities could benefit from other renewable sources. 

“Native American Tribes, Indigenous Peoples, U.S. territories, and communities located along remote coastal areas have a close relationship with the ocean, and are on the front lines of the impacts of climate change. Yet many of these communities currently have no other option but to rely on imported fossil fuels, the root cause of climate change, for electricity – sometimes shelling out as much as 10 times the U.S. average for oil and gas. These communities want to improve their energy independence, reduce costs, and lower carbon emissions, while keeping their way of life intact. Wave and tidal energy can help solve this challenge.

“The Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act will help bolster marine renewable energy research, education, and development in the coming years and ensure these rising technologies are developed responsibly and safely for marine life and support a just transition. We urge Congress to pass this needed legislation.”

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Ocean Conservancy envisions a healthier ocean, protected by a more just world. Ocean Conservancy is working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with our partners, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram.