[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 22, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2356-S2357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. WYDEN (for himself, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Schatz, and Mr. 
        King):
  S. 1058. A bill to promote research, development, and demonstration 
of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of 
the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 1058

       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 ``Marine and Hydrokinetic 
     Renewable Energy Act of 2015''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF MARINE AND HYDROKINETIC RENEWABLE 
                   ENERGY.

       Section 632 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 
     2007 (42 U.S.C. 17211) is amended in the matter preceding 
     paragraph (1) by striking ``electrical''.

     SEC. 3. MARINE AND HYDROKINETIC RENEWABLE 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 AND HYDROKINETIC RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCH 
                   AND DEVELOPMENT.

       ``The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the 
     Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Federal Energy 
     Regulatory Commission, shall carry out a program of research, 
     development, demonstration, and commercial application to 
     accelerate the introduction of marine and hydrokinetic 
     renewable energy production into the United States energy 
     supply, giving priority to fostering accelerated research, 
     development, and commercialization of technology, including 
     programs--
       ``(1) to assist technology development to improve the 
     components, processes, and systems used for power generation 
     from marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy resources;
       ``(2) to establish critical testing infrastructure 
     necessary--
       ``(A) to cost effectively and efficiently test and prove 
     marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy devices; and
       ``(B) to accelerate the technological readiness and 
     commercialization of those devices;
       ``(3) to support efforts to increase the efficiency of 
     energy conversion, lower the cost, increase the use, improve 
     the reliability, and demonstrate the applicability of marine 
     and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies by 
     participating in demonstration projects;
       ``(4) to investigate variability issues and the efficient 
     and reliable integration of marine and hydrokinetic renewable 
     energy with the utility grid;
       ``(5) to identify and study critical short- and long-term 
     needs to create a sustainable marine and hydrokinetic 
     renewable energy supply chain based in the United States;
       ``(6) to increase the reliability and survivability of 
     marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies;
       ``(7) to verify the performance, reliability, 
     maintainability, and cost of new marine and hydrokinetic 
     renewable energy device designs and system components in an 
     operating environment;
       ``(8) to coordinate and avoid duplication of activities 
     across programs of the Department and other applicable 
     Federal agencies, including National Laboratories and to 
     coordinate public-private collaboration in all programs under 
     this section;
       ``(9) to identify opportunities for joint research and 
     development programs and development of economies of scale 
     between--
       ``(A) marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy 
     technologies; and
       ``(B) other renewable energy and fossil energy programs, 
     offshore oil and gas production activities, and activities of 
     the Department of Defense; and
       ``(10) to support in-water technology development with 
     international partners using existing cooperative procedures 
     (including memoranda of understanding)--
       ``(A) to allow cooperative funding and other support of 
     value to be exchanged and leveraged; and
       ``(B) to encourage the participation of international 
     research centers and companies within the United States and 
     the participation of United States research centers and 
     companies in international projects.''.

[[Page S2357]]

     SEC. 4. NATIONAL MARINE RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCH, 
                   DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION CENTERS.

       Section 634 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 
     2007 (42 U.S.C. 17213) is amended by striking subsection (b) 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(b) Purposes.--A Center (in coordination with the 
     Department and National Laboratories) shall--
       ``(1) advance research, development, demonstration, and 
     commercial application of marine and hydrokinetic renewable 
     energy technologies;
       ``(2) support in-water testing and demonstration of marine 
     and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies, including 
     facilities capable of testing--
       ``(A) marine and hydrokinetic renewable 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 
     and hydrokinetic renewable energy industry by collecting and 
     disseminating information on best practices in all areas 
     relating to developing and managing marine and hydrokinetic 
     renewable energy resources and energy systems.''.

     SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 636 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 
     2007 (42 U.S.C. 17215) is amended by striking ``2008 through 
     2012'' and inserting ``2016 through 2019''.

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