Newhouse, Kilmer Introduce Legislation to Invest in Energy Research, Create Jobs in Washington

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Reps. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) and Derek Kilmer (WA-06) introduced H.R. 6680, the Blue Energy Innovation Act, bipartisan legislation which directs funding towards blue energy research—renewable energy technologies that capitalize on water’s low-cost energy—and in turn create jobs in Washington state.

“Renewable energy plays a critically-important role in our nation's energy portfolio and is a key source of power in Central Washington. We are blessed to have a diverse mix of clean and renewable energy sources in the region—including hydropower and nuclear energy—making Central Washington a great example of utilizing an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy,” said Rep. Newhouse. “The Blue Energy Innovation Act expands upon this strategy by investing in research to harness 'blue-energy' technologies developed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, one of our country's foremost national laboratories and a major economic driver in the State of Washington and throughout the Pacific Northwest. I am proud to introduce this legislation which supports this critical, groundbreaking research and capitalizes on our region’s unique expertise in ocean and water sciences. This work will benefit the entire country while creating local jobs and stimulating economic growth in our region.”

“The blue economy in Washington has led the national charge to develop blue energy - utilizing marine energy resources right here in our region that can help provide clean power to coastal communities, drive economic development, and create and grow jobs in our region,” said Rep. Kilmer. “Now is the time to take action to put those efforts on overdrive. With tremendous assets like the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Sequim, which houses the only marine research facilities in the Department of Energy complex, and a unique and thriving maritime sector, this bipartisan legislation can help Washington state can become a global leader in driving innovation and sustainability, creating blue economy jobs, and fighting the climate crisis.”

Click here to read the full text of H.R. 6680, the Blue Energy Innovation Act.

Background:

The bipartisan Blue Energy Innovation Act aims to help DOE leverage resources across relevant federal agencies, national laboratories (like PNNL-Sequim), and other partners, to develop the cutting-edge technologies that will improve the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of activities tied to the blue economy.

Specifically, the bill will:

• Establish the Integrated Blue Economy and Blue Energy Technologies Program, under which the Secretary of Energy will provide $75 million in supplemental funding to advance technological innovation to better harness ocean energy, enhance deployment of next generation renewable technologies in aquatic environments, drive decarbonization efforts, and create jobs across the blue economy.
• Establish the Blue Economy Center of Excellence to support the new cross-cutting program and help coordinate across DOE offices, national laboratories, research institutions, state governments, and other federal agencies to achieve the shared decarbonization and renewable energy mission.
• Provide funding to upgrade or create a state-of-the-art facility for the Blue Economy Center of Excellence, taking advantage of existing national laboratory infrastructure.
• Create opportunity for improved interagency cooperation to accelerate the research and development of these technologies.
• Require the Department of Energy to report to Congress on all funding for blue energy technologies across its line offices and programs.

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