House Committee Advances Bipartisan Bonamici Legislation to Strengthen Water Power

WASHINGTON, DC [5/20/2026] - Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology approved bipartisan legislation led by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) to modernize the Department of Energy's (DOE) water power research, development, and demonstration programs.

The Water Power Research and Development Reauthorization Act, H.R. 7129, is co-led by Congressman Nick Begich (R-AK) and would enhance the science and demonstrations needed to bring marine energy, pumped storage, and hydropower technologies to scale. Bonamici led the last reauthorization of these programs in 2020, when it was signed into law with bipartisan support.

"As the representative for Oregon's north coast, I've seen how visionary scientists can successfully partner with federal programs to harness the power of waves, tides, and currents," Bonamici said ahead of the Committee vote on the legislation. "Water power, including marine energy, hydropower, and pumped storage, plays a critical role in grid reliability, lowering energy costs - which is something everybody needs right now - and supporting domestic manufacturing… As our grid strains and electric bills increase, it's essential to strengthen the Water Power Technologies Office that brings these technologies to scale. I hope this legislation moves to the full house for a vote soon."

Video of Bonamici's remarks at the markup can be found here.

The Water Power Research and Development Reauthorization Act would:

1. Reauthorize DOE's Water Power Technologies Office research, development, demonstration, and commercialization programs for hydropower, pumped storage, and marine energy
2. Strengthen grid reliability and resilience by advancing technologies that provide long-duration energy storage, ancillary services, and flexible generation
3. Improve environmental performance of water power systems through research on fisheries, water quality, sediment movement, and cumulative impacts
4. Support domestic manufacturing, advanced materials, and additive manufacturing for water power components and supply chains
5. Expand marine energy research for resilient coastal and riverside communities, microgrids, desalination, disaster recovery, and critical infrastructure
6. Sustain and expand National Marine Energy Centers as regional hubs for testing, demonstration, and workforce development
7. Promote collaboration among national laboratories, universities, industry, Tribes, and federal agencies
8. Authorize $300 million annually through FY2030 to support hydropower and marine energy innovation nationwide

Companion legislation, S. 3684, is led in the Senate by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

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