Rep. Barragán Introduces Environmental and Business Legislation

Barragán, Bonamici Introduce Legislation to Jumpstart Marine Energy as a Clean Energy Solution

WASHINGTON, DC – Representatives Nanette Barragán (CA-44) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) introduced the Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act, legislation that would invest $1 billion to advance marine energy toward full scale commercialization. Marine energy harnesses the power from waves, tides, currents, and other water-based resources to generate a clean energy resource that can provide reliable 24/7 clean power to communities.

The Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act would provide funding to the Department of Energy’s water power technologies office for demonstration projects, research and development, detailed resource potential mapping, workforce development, and more efficient permitting processes.

“Nearly 40 percent of the U.S. population lives in coastal communities where marine energy resources are abundant and offer tremendous potential to power our communities with clean, renewable energy, including California,” said Rep. Barragán. “With the Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act, we can usher in an emerging clean energy resource to help our nation and our communities meet clean energy and decarbonization goals, reduce pollution, and create high-paying jobs.”

There is an upcoming marine energy demonstration project by Eco Wave Power at Altasea, a public-private ocean technology hub at the Port of Los Angeles dedicated to growing the blue economy. Eco Wave Power is set to install the first U.S. onshore wave energy pilot station in the coming months at the port.

“For too long, this useful source of power has had a back seat to investments in other renewable and non-renewable forms of energy,” said Terry Tamminen, CEO of AltaSea. “With this bill, Representative Barragán puts wave and tidal energy on the map —  and does so in a very meaningful way.”

Details: The full text of the bill can be found here.

Rep. Barragán Introduces Bill to Create Tax Deductions for Businesses that Donate Equipment to Food Banks

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Nanette Barragán (CA-44) July 31 introduced the Feed the Community Act, a bill that would create tax deductions for businesses that donate food storage equipment and food transportation vehicles to non-profit organizations whose primary mission is to fight hunger in their communities. 

Food banks and food pantries across America are experiencing increased demand for service, yet they have limited capacity and resources to serve communities in need. In 2022, over 44 million Americans were food insecure, or lacked access to affordable and nutritious foods. Food insecurity disproportionately harms senior citizens on fixed incomes, low-income households, and communities of color.

Food banks have seen an increased need for food assistance from their communities, which means with their current resources, food banks cannot serve the individuals who rely on them for food and other basic necessities,” said Rep. Barragán. “Almost a million Angelenos would go hungry if it wasn’t for the important work of food banks. That is why I am proud to introduce the Feed the Community Act, which incentivizes businesses to donate food storage equipment and food transport to food banks, and they can provide hunger-relief in their communities.”

Details: Read Rep. Barragán’s one-pager on the bill here and view the full bill text here.