Congress has introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO)—the federal hub for hydropower and marine energy research, development, and innovation. 

The Water Power Research and Development Reauthorization Act (H.R. 7129 / S. 3684) would strengthen America’s energy security, grid reliability, and clean energy leadership by ensuring sustained federal investment in hydropower and marine energy technologies. 

NHA urges its members to contact their U.S. Senators and Representatives and ask them to support this critical legislation. 

Why This Matters 

DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office plays a vital role in advancing technologies that: 

• Improve grid reliability and resilience through flexible generation and long-duration energy storage; 
• Enhance the environmental performance of hydropower and marine energy projects; 
• Strengthen domestic manufacturing and supply chains for water power components; 
• Support resilient coastal, riverine, and rural communities; and 
• Maintain U.S. leadership in marine energy research and innovation. 

Without reauthorization, WPTO’s ability to support innovation, testing, workforce development, and commercialization of next-generation water power technologies is at risk. 

What the Legislation Does 

The Water Power Research and Development Reauthorization Act would: 

• Advance hydropower and marine energy technologies that provide ancillary services, flexibility, and long-duration energy storage; 
• Support environmental research on fisheries, water quality, sediment transport, and cumulative impacts; 
• Invest in domestic manufacturing, advanced materials, and additive manufacturing for water power supply chains; 
• Expand marine energy research for microgrids, desalination, disaster recovery, and critical infrastructure; 
• Sustain and expand National Marine Energy Centers as regional testing and workforce hubs; 
• Promote collaboration among national laboratories, industry, universities, Tribes, and federal agencies; and 
• Authorize $300 million annually through FY 2030 for hydropower and marine energy research, development, and demonstration. 

Take Action Now 

Please take a moment to tell your Members of Congress to support H.R. 7129 and S. 3684 and ensure continued federal leadership in water power innovation. 

Need Support or Want to Follow Up?

Refer House and Senate offices to:
📧 Matthew Allen – matthew@hydro.org

📧 Erika Ose - erika@hydro.org