I 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3203 
To provide research, development, and deployment of marine energy, and 
for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 11, 2019 
Mr. DEUTCH (for himself and Ms. BONAMICI) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
A BILL 
To provide research, development, and deployment of marine 
energy, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Marine Energy Research and Development Act of 2019’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents of 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Purpose. 
Sec. 3. Amendment to short title. 
Sec. 4. Definition of marine energy. 
Sec. 5. Marine energy research and development. 
Sec. 6. National Marine Energy Centers. 
Sec. 7. Authorization of appropriations. 
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SEC. 2. PURPOSE. 
It is the purpose of this Act to support marine energy 
programs that— 
(1) promote the research and development of 
increased energy generation and capacity at reduced 
costs; 
(2) promote research and development that im-
proves environmental outcomes of marine energy 
technologies; 
(3) provide grid stability and create new market 
opportunities; and 
(4) promote job creation in the energy sector. 
SEC. 3. AMENDMENT TO SHORT TITLE. 
Section 631 of the Energy Independence and Security 
Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17001) is amended by striking 
‘‘and Hydrokinetic Renewable’’ from the short title. 
SEC. 4. DEFINITION OF MARINE ENERGY. 
Section 632 of the Energy Independence and Security 
Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17211) is amended to read as 
follows: 
‘‘SEC. 632. DEFINITIONS. 
‘‘For purposes of this subtitle, the term ‘marine en-
ergy’ means energy from— 
‘‘(1) waves, tides, and currents in oceans, estu-
aries, and tidal areas; 
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‘‘(2) free flowing hydrokinetic water in rivers, 
lakes, and streams; 
‘‘(3) free flowing hydrokinetic water in man- 
made channels; and 
‘‘(4) differentials in ocean temperature (ocean 
thermal energy conversion).’’. 
SEC. 5. MARINE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. 
Section 633 of the Energy Independence and Security 
Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17212) is amended to read as 
follows: 
‘‘SEC. 633. MARINE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOP-
MENT. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through 
the Water Power Technologies Office, in consultation with 
the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, 
and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, shall 
conduct a program to accelerate the introduction of ma-
rine energy production into the United States energy sup-
ply, giving priority to technologies most likely to lead to 
commercial utilization, while fostering accelerated re-
search, development, demonstration, and commercial ap-
plication of technology, including programs to— 
‘‘(1) assist technology development at a variety 
of scales, including full scale prototypes, in order to 
improve the components, processes, and systems 
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‘‘(b) COST SHARING AND MERIT REVIEW.—The Sec-
retary shall carry out the program under this section in 
compliance with sections 988 and 989 of the Energy Pol-
icy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 16352, 16353).’’. 
SEC. 6. NATIONAL MARINE ENERGY CENTERS. 
Section 634 of the Energy Independence and Security 
Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17213) is amended by striking 
subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) CENTERS.—The Secretary shall award grants to 
institutions of higher education for continuation and ex-
pansion of the research, development, and testing activi-
ties at the National Marine Energy Centers established 
as of January 1, 2019, and the establishment of new Na-
tional Marine Energy Centers. In selecting locations for 
new Centers, the Secretary shall consider one of the fol-
lowing criteria: 
‘‘(1) Hosts an existing marine energy research 
and development program in coordination with an 
engineering program at an institution of higher edu-
cation. 
‘‘(2) Has proven expertise to support environ-
mental and policy-related issues associated with the 
harnessing of energy in the marine environment. 
‘‘(3) Has access to and utilizes marine re-
sources. 
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‘‘(b) PURPOSES.—The Centers shall coordinate 
among themselves, the Department and the National Lab-
oratories to— 
‘‘(1) advance research, development, and dem-
onstration of marine energy technologies; 
‘‘(2) support in-water testing and demonstra-
tion of marine energy technologies, including facili-
ties capable of testing— 
‘‘(A) marine energy systems of various 
technology readiness levels and scales; 
‘‘(B) a variety of technologies in multiple 
test berths at a single location; and 
‘‘(C) arrays of technology devices; and 
‘‘(3) serve as information clearinghouses for the 
marine energy industry by collecting and dissemi-
nating information on best practices in all areas re-
lating to developing and managing marine energy re-
sources and energy systems. 
‘‘(c) COST SHARING.—The Secretary shall carry out 
the program under this section in compliance with section 
988(b)(4) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
16352).’’. 
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
Section 636 of the Energy Independence and Security 
Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17215) is amended by inserting 
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‘‘and $150,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 and 
2021’’ after ‘‘2008 through 2012’’. 
Æ 
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