Water Power Research and Development Reauthorization Act

Key Points

• This bill, introduced by Senators Murkowski and Wyden, would provide $300 million every year from 2026 through 2030 to fund research into water-based energy. This is a significant increase from previous funding levels and is split between traditional hydropower ($100 million) and 'marine energy' like wave and tidal power ($200 million).
• The plan focuses on making hydropower plants more efficient and secure. It includes new research into protecting dams from cyberattacks, managing invasive species that can clog equipment, and finding ways to simplify the complicated and slow process of getting a government license to operate a water power plant.
• A major part of the bill supports 'marine energy,' which uses the movement of ocean waves and tides to create electricity. The goal is to help coastal and remote communities—especially in harsh environments like the Arctic—get reliable power for things like turning seawater into drinking water and keeping the lights on during disasters.
• The bill creates new job training and education programs to build a new generation of water power workers. It specifically focuses on providing opportunities for students at Tribal colleges and minority-serving institutions to participate in fellowships and research projects.
• Researchers will also explore using advanced manufacturing, such as 3D printing, to build parts for water power systems more quickly and cheaply. Additionally, the bill encourages the government to work with the Navy to develop resilient power systems for coastal defense and ocean monitoring.

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