Water Power Research and Development Reauthorization Act
Summary
The Water Power Research and Development Reauthorization Act aims to amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. It focuses on reauthorizing and expanding research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities related to water power. The bill allocates increased funding for both marine energy and hydropower research and development.
Expected Effects
The Act will likely lead to increased investment in water power technologies, fostering innovation and potentially reducing the cost of energy. It also emphasizes workforce development and collaboration with educational institutions. This could result in a more skilled workforce and advancements in sustainable energy solutions.
Potential Benefits
- Increased funding for marine and hydropower research.
- Support for workforce development and training programs.
- Advancement of scalable manufacturing of marine energy components.
- Streamlining of the hydropower licensing process.
- Improved methods for incorporating hydropower and pumped storage in grid modeling systems.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased government spending, potentially contributing to the national debt.
- Potential environmental impacts from hydropower and marine energy projects, despite mitigation efforts.
- Possible delays or inefficiencies in the licensing process, even with streamlining efforts.
- Risk of projects not yielding expected results, leading to wasted resources.
- Dependence on government funding, which may fluctuate based on political priorities.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act aligns with the Constitution's Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to regulate commerce and provide for the general welfare. By promoting energy research and development, the Act aims to improve the nation's infrastructure and economy. It does not appear to infringe upon any individual liberties or rights protected by the Bill of Rights.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).