Water Power Research and Development Reauthorization Act
Sponsored By: Representative Bonamici
Introduced
Summary
Major expansion and funding boost for U.S. water power research. The bill broadens hydropower and marine energy R&D, pushes domestic manufacturing and workforce development, and adds cybersecurity, grid modeling, and resilience priorities.
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- Manufacturers and industry: Directs support for U.S.-based manufacturing of composite and additive manufactured marine energy components and builds an industrial marine energy supply chain. It sets funding priorities of $200 million per year for marine energy and $100 million per year for hydropower.
- Coastal and waterside communities: Supports marine energy for resilience uses like desalination, disaster recovery, aquaculture, community microgrids, data centers, and subsea power. It requires technology development for extreme tidal temperatures and icing conditions.
- Students, workers, and researchers: Expands workforce development, training, student-led research, and education programs and boosts interagency coordination. It requires biennial public briefings and public dissemination of research findings to share results and standards.
*Authorizes $300 million per year for fiscal years 2026–2030, including $200 million for marine energy and $100 million for hydropower, increasing authorized federal spending compared with prior law.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Big boost for water power R&D
If enacted, this would authorize $300 million each year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. Each year would split $200 million for marine energy and $100 million for hydropower R&D and demonstrations. Universities, research centers, industry partners, and regional test sites could receive grants.
More water power job and training programs
If enacted, this would expand workforce support across marine energy and hydropower programs. It would fund partnerships with colleges, tribal and Alaska-Native institutions, maritime academies, and National Laboratories. Activities could include competitions, fellowships, student-led research, curriculum work, and training programs.
Modernize hydropower research and testing
If enacted, this would expand hydropower R&D to include generation, hydrology, and improved environmental impact methods. It would add cybersecurity alongside physical security. The bill would also require ways to test and validate hydropower and pumped storage performance and reliability.
Broaden marine energy projects and manufacturing
If enacted, this would broaden marine energy work to cover equipment, microgrids, and smart energy systems. It would support U.S. manufacturing and supply chains, including composite and additive parts. Projects could include hydrogen, desalination, data centers, aquaculture, and community microgrids. It would also require systems for extreme tidal temperatures and icing conditions.
New test site criteria and lab partners
If enacted, this would add a requirement that regional marine energy test sites show natural advantages like high tides, strong currents, or cold-water conditions. It would also make National Laboratories and other Federal agencies official partners for center coordination.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Bonamici
OR • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]
AK • R
Sponsored 1/16/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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