H.R. 7129

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7129 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7129

To amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to 
reauthorize water power research, development, demonstration, and 
commercial application activities, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 16, 2026

Ms. Bonamici (for herself and Mr. Begich) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Education and 
Workforce, 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 amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to 
reauthorize water power research, development, demonstration, and 
commercial application activities, 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 ``Water Power Research and Development 
Reauthorization Act''.

SEC. 2. WATER POWER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

Subtitle C of title VI of the Energy Independence and Security Act 
of 2007 (Public Law 110-140; 42 U.S.C. 17211 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 633 (42 U.S.C. 17212; relating to water 
power technology research, development, and demonstration)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``capacity and 
reduce the cost'' inserting ``capacity or efficiency, 
and reduce the cost,''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph:
``(5) To advance scalable, United States-based 
manufacturing of composite and additive manufactured marine 
energy components through collaborations with regional 
universities and industry, including advanced composite 
research facilities and additive manufacturing facilities.'';
(2) in section 634 (42 U.S.C. 17213; relating to hydropower 
research, development, and demonstration)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
inserting ``generation,'' after ``efficiency,'';
(B) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding 
subparagraph (A), by inserting ``, cybersecurity,'' 
after ``physical'';
(C) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
``(3) study, in conjunction with other relevant Federal 
agencies, State agencies, local agencies, and Tribal entities 
(including Alaska Native Corporations), as appropriate, methods 
to improve the hydropower licensing process, including by 
compiling current environmental data and studies, accepted best 
practices, public comments, and methodologies to assess the 
full range of potential environmental and economic impacts;'';
(D) in paragraph (6)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A), by striking ``develop methods and 
technologies to improve environmental impact'' 
and inserting ``develop and support studies, 
methods, and technologies to assess and improve 
environmental impact''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (D), by inserting 
``hydrology,'' after ``water quality'';
(E) in paragraph (7)(G), by inserting ``for 
hydropower and pumped storage applications'' after 
``components'';
(F) in paragraph (9), by inserting ``, and project 
management and delivery strategies,'' after ``systems 
analysis'';
(G) in paragraph (10)--
(i) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
``and'' at the end;
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting 
``and'' after the semicolon; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following 
new subparagraph:
``(D) improving methods for incorporating 
hydropower and pumped storage in grid modeling 
systems.'';
(H) in paragraph (13), by striking ``and'' at the 
end; and
(I) by striking paragraph (14) and inserting the 
following:
``(14) identify mechanisms and systems to test, validate, 
and improve performance and reliability of hydropower and 
pumped storage technologies; and
``(15) support workforce development programs, training, 
student-led research, and education and outreach activities to 
foster growth of the next generation of hydropower 
professionals and researchers.'';
(3) in section 635(a) (42 U.S.C. 17214(a); relating to 
marine energy research, development, and demonstration) is 
amended--
(A) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding 
subparagraph (A), by striking ``infrastructure and 
facilities'' and inserting ``infrastructure, 
facilities, and equipment'';
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``, which may 
include smart building systems'' and inserting ``and 
microgrids, which may include smart energy management 
systems'';
(C) in paragraph (5), by striking ``maintaining a 
sustainable marine energy supply chain based in the 
United States'' and inserting ``establish and support 
manufacturing and an industrial marine energy supply 
chain based in the United States'';
(D) in paragraph (9), by inserting ``, which may 
include production of hydrogen and other transportation 
fuels'' before the semicolon;
(E) in paragraph (13), by inserting ``utilization 
of advanced manufacturing processes, including the'' 
after ``such as the'';
(F) in paragraph (17), by striking ``; and'' and 
inserting ``, including data centers, subsea or 
offshore power, and microgrids, sensors, and 
communications systems;'';
(G) in paragraph (18)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A), by striking ``to develop'' and inserting 
``develop''; and
(ii) by amending subparagraph (B) to read 
as follows:
``(B) for the generation and storage of power to 
promote the resilience of waterside communities, 
including high-energy tidal environments, and critical 
infrastructure (as such term is defined in section 
1016(e) of Public Law 107-56 (42 U.S.C. 5195c(e))), 
including in applications relating to--
``(i) desalination;
``(ii) disaster recovery and resilience;
``(iii) aquaculture;
``(iv) marine carbon dioxide removal;
``(v) community microgrids in isolated 
power systems; and
``(vi) resilience and microgrid 
demonstration sites integrating marine energy 
and working waterfront economies.''; and
(H) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph:
``(19) develop, validate, and demonstrate marine energy 
systems designed for extreme tidal temperatures and icing 
conditions.'';
(4) in section 636 (42 U.S.C. 17215; relating to National 
Marine Energy Centers)--
(A) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the 
following new paragraph:
``(4) Whether the institution is a regional test site with 
the proven ability to demonstrate unique natural advantages, 
including high tidal ranges, strong currents, and cold-water 
operating conditions.''; and
(B) in subsection (c)--
(i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ``and National Laboratories,'' and 
inserting ``National Laboratories, and other 
relevant Federal agencies,'';
(ii) in paragraph (2)(D), by striking 
``and'' at the end;
(iii) in paragraph (3), by striking the 
period and inserting ``; and''; and
(iv) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph:
``(4) support workforce development, training, student-led 
research programs, and development and dissemination of 
curriculum, education, and outreach activities to foster growth 
of the next generation of marine energy professionals and 
researchers.'';
(5) in section 637 (42 U.S.C. 17216; relating to 
organization and administration of programs)--
(A) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``other 
domestic and'' after ``Alaska Native 
Corporations, and'';
(ii) in paragraph (3), by striking 
``(including the United States Agency for 
International Development)'' and inserting ``, 
including the Department of State and the 
International Trade Administration of the 
Department of Commerce,''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following 
new paragraph:
``(4) Interagency coordination.--The Secretary shall seek 
to coordinate with the National Sea Grant College Program and 
the Department of Commerce to leverage existing ocean networks 
and coastal innovation initiatives.'';
(B) in subsection (f), by amending paragraph (2) to 
read as follows:
``(2) workforce development and training activities in 
collaboration with regional workforce hubs, including 
institutions of higher education, Tribal Colleges and 
Universities (including Alaska-Native serving institutions), 
land grant and sea grant institutions, foundations, non-profit 
organizations, and maritime academies, to support education, 
recruitment, and the dissemination of standards and best 
practices for enabling water power production, including 
hydropower and marine energy collegiate competitions, graduate 
student research program and fellowships relating to marine 
energy, and other workforce programs.'';
(C) in subsection (g)(1), by striking ``an annual'' 
and inserting ``a biennial''; and
(D) by amending subsection (h) to read as follows:
``(g) Briefing to Congress.--Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this subsection, and at least once every two years 
thereafter, the Secretary shall provide a briefing to the relevant 
authorizing and appropriations committees of Congress and make 
available to the public the findings of research conducted and 
activities carried out pursuant to this subtitle, including the most 
current strategic plan under subsection (g) and the progress made in 
implementing such plan.''; and
(6) by amending section 639 (42 U.S.C. 17218; relating to 
authorization of appropriations) by striking ``$186,600,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025, including $137,428,378 
for marine energy and $49,171,622 for hydropower research, 
development, and demonstration activities'' and inserting 
``$300,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, 
including $200,000,000 for marine energy and $100,000,000 for 
hydropower research, development, and demonstration 
activities''.
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