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119-s-3684119th CongressWALLET

Water Power Research and Development Reauthorization Act

Sponsored By: Senator Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]

In Committee

Summary

Boosts U.S. water power research and domestic manufacturing. This bill would reauthorize and expand research, development, demonstration, and commercial activities for hydropower and marine energy while adding workforce, interagency, and manufacturing support.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More federal funding for water power

The bill would authorize $300 million per year for water power research and development for fiscal years 2026–2030. Each year, $200 million would be for marine energy activities and $100 million would be for hydropower activities. The money would support grants, demonstrations, test centers, advanced manufacturing, workforce programs, and interagency projects. This would increase federal support for companies, universities, and labs working on water power technology.

New hydropower research and licensing study

The bill would expand hydropower RD&D to include generation, cybersecurity, river hydrology, water quality, and invasive species research. It would require an interagency study to identify ways to streamline and improve the hydropower licensing process with federal, state, Tribal, and local input. The bill would also fund better grid modeling for hydropower and pumped storage and add Tribal workforce support.

Boosts marine energy research and manufacturing

The bill would expand marine energy RD&D to support U.S. manufacturing of composite and additively manufactured components. It would add microgrids, smart energy systems, hydrogen fuel production, desalination, aquaculture, Arctic testing, and Defense demos as covered applications. The bill would push partnerships between colleges, industry, and the Department of Defense and Navy to build test sites and advanced manufacturing facilities. Coastal communities and manufacturers would get more research and demonstration opportunities.

More program transparency, partners, and training

The bill would require the Energy Secretary to solicit award applications at least once a year when funding is available and to brief Congress within one year and then every two years. It would add 'efficiency' to program goals and require public posting of research findings and the strategic plan. It would broaden eligible partners to include Tribal, Alaska Native-serving, and minority-serving institutions and expand workforce programs like competitions, fellowships, and training.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]

AK • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 1/15/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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