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House Science Committee reauthorizes water power research, emphasizes marine energy and pumped storage
Summary
The committee reported HR 7129 favorably after adopting an amendment authorizing current appropriated levels for marine energy and hydropower R&D through FY2027–2031 and discussing workforce, grid resilience, and regional marine test centers.
The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on Wednesday approved HR 7129, the Water Power Research and Development Reauthorization Act, sending the measure to the House with bipartisan support.
Representative Bonamichi, the bill’s sponsor, described marine energy, hydropower and pumped storage as tools for reliable base‑load power, grid resilience, and coastal economic development. "Marine energy uses power from moving water, including waves, tides, and currents to produce reliable base load electricity," she said, emphasizing test centers and university partnerships as essential to bringing technologies from prototype to deployment.
Representative Meny (Texas) urged attention to water supply and the role pumped storage and hydropower could play in conserving water while meeting rising electricity demand from data centers and industry. The committee adopted an amendment from the chair authorizing current appropriated levels for marine energy and hydropower R&D for FY2027–2031; the measure was then ordered favorably reported to the House.
The transcript records voice adoption of the amendment and the final reporting motion; members were given two calendar days to submit supplemental views and staff were authorized to make technical and conforming edits.
What’s next: Committee staff will prepare the report and the bill will await placement on the House floor docket.
