Water Power Research and Development Reauthorization Act

This legislation reauthorizes and significantly expands federal programs for water power research, development, demonstration, and commercial application. It allocates $300,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 , with specific funding for marine energy and hydropower initiatives, representing a substantial increase over previous authorizations. The bill aims to enhance the capacity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of water power technologies across the United States. Key provisions include advancing scalable U.S.-based manufacturing of marine energy components and improving the hydropower licensing process by compiling environmental data and best practices. It also mandates research into incorporating hydropower and pumped storage into grid modeling systems, mitigating invasive species impacts, and enhancing cybersecurity for hydropower infrastructure. For marine energy, the bill expands applications to include hydrogen production, resilient coastal power for defense, and systems designed for extreme arctic conditions, promoting resilience for coastal communities and critical infrastructure. Furthermore, the legislation places a strong emphasis on workforce development , training, and education programs for both hydropower and marine energy professionals, including collaborations with Tribal Colleges and Universities. It also improves program administration by requiring more frequent award solicitations, fostering interagency collaboration with NOAA and the National Sea Grant Program, and mandating biennial briefings to Congress on program progress and strategic plans.