Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015
Floor Speech
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Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gen tle lady for yielding, and I rise in strong support of this amendment.
The Water Power Program supports critical private sector research, development, deployment, and commercialization for new American hydropower technologies and marine hydrokinetic energy. Water power research helps to reduce costs and environmental impacts of these reliable, renewable energy sources and is very critical for private sector investment.
In Maine, the Ocean Renewable Power Company has deployed our Nation's first grid-connected marine hydrokinetic energy system, the first in the country, and they are working to deploy additional units in other areas of the country. They have invested nearly $30 million in the local economy while creating or retaining over 100 quality jobs.
Countries like Japan, Chile, and Australia have shown an interest in this American technology, and it presents a great opportunity for exporting American technology. So not only will the development of new domestic water power technology create jobs and reduce the energy costs for homes and businesses across the country, but it represents an opportunity for the U.S. to lead the world in an emerging area of renewable and abundant energy.
Now is not the time for a drastic cut in these important programs. I urge my colleagues to support this very modest amount of money while at the same time realizing that we do have fiscal constraints.
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