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H.R. 9027House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Ocean Restoration Research and Development Act of 2022

Sponsored by David B. McKinleyRep. David B. McKinley (R-WV)
Introduced September 29, 2022

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 6:01 PM UTC

The Ocean Restoration Research and Development Act of 2022 directs the Secretary of Energy to create a pilot program that researches and develops technologies to restore the ocean, boost fisheries, protect marine mammals, and cut atmospheric carbon. The program must work with other federal agencies, universities, and private partners, and it is funded at $33 million per year from 2023 through 2027. It emphasizes work in open‑ocean (pelagic) waters and must avoid actions that could cause harmful algal blooms. A report on progress and outcomes must be sent to Congress within three years.

Key Provisions

  • Establish a pilot program for ocean restoration R&D, including research, demonstration projects, and front‑end engineering and economic analysis
  • Require coordination with NOAA, EPA, BOEM, NSF, universities, the National Oceanographic Partnership Program, and relevant private and public organizations
  • Set program goals to accelerate technologies for large‑scale restoration, carbon removal, and storage, using existing environmental data and ensuring safe testing sites while complying with international law
  • Prioritize activities in pelagic waters and prohibit actions that could stimulate phytoplankton leading to harmful algal blooms in coastal waters
  • Mandate a congressional report within three years detailing goals, carbon‑reduction effectiveness, marine benefits, and potential for larger‑scale demonstrations
  • Authorize $33 million in appropriations for each fiscal year from 2023 to 2027

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

September 29, 2022

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 29, 2022

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

September 29, 2022

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 29, 2022

I

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 9027

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 29, 2022

Mr. McKinley (for himself, Mr. Michael F. Doyle of Pennsylvania, and Mr. Carter of Georgia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a pilot program on ocean restoration research and development, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Ocean Restoration Research and Development Act of 2022.

2.

Ocean fertilization research and development pilot program

(a)

Establishment

The Secretary of Energy shall establish a pilot program for the research and development of ocean replenishment and restoration technologies and techniques that have the potential to achieve regional-to-global scale ocean restoration, enhancement of fisheries, conservation of marine mammals, and emissions reductions.

(b)

Requirements

The pilot program established under subsection (a) shall include—

(1)

a research and development program;

(2)

demonstration projects, including pilot projects; and

(3)

front-end engineering, design, and economic analysis.

(c)

Consultation

In carrying out the pilot program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult and collaborate with, as necessary—

(1)

the heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, including—

(A)

the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;

(B)

the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency;

(C)

the Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management; and

(D)

the Director of the National Science Foundation;

(2)

institutions of higher education;

(3)

the National Oceanographic Partnership Program; and

(4)

representatives from other relevant private and public sector organizations.

(d)

Program goals and objectives

In consultation with the entities described in subsection (c), the Secretary shall develop goals and objectives for the pilot program established under subsection (a) to be applied to the transformational technologies and practices developed under such program, taking into consideration—

(1)

the acceleration of the development of technologies and practices that have transformational ocean restoration, carbon removal, or carbon storage characteristics;

(2)

the utilization of, to the maximum extent practicable, environmental data collected by—

(A)

the entities described in subsection (c);

(B)

the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency through the Ocean of Things program;

(C)

the National Aeronautics and Space Administration through the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem mission; and

(D)

the United States Navy through the Marine Mammal Program;

(3)

support for sites for safe testing and demonstration;

(4)

the need to enter into cooperative agreements to carry out and expedite small-scale demonstration projects;

(5)

compliance with relevant international laws and treaties; and

(6)

any benefits or barriers to the commercial deployment of any such technologies and practices.

(e)

Priorities

In carrying out the pilot program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, prioritize activities that—

(1)

take place in pelagic waters; and

(2)

will not stimulate phytoplankton production that causes or accelerates harmful algal blooms in coastal waters.

(f)

Report to Congress

Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing—

(1)

the program goals and objectives adopted under subsection (d);

(2)

the effectiveness of the pilot program established under subsection (a) on reducing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and recommendations for improving such program;

(3)

any results, successes, and related co-benefits to marine mammals and fisheries, and failures of carrying out the pilot program established under subsection (a);

(4)

the potential to undertake large-scale demonstration projects and utilize international waters for demonstration projects; and

(5)

any other information the Secretary considers relevant.

(g)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $33,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027.

(h)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Coastal Waters

The term coastal waters means the land and sea areas bordering the shoreline where hypoxic conditions exist or are likely to occur due to excess nutrients.

(2)

Ocean restoration

The term ocean restoration includes the research and development of technologies and techniques that support the addition of nutrients to the upper layers of the ocean for the purpose of stimulating phytoplankton activity.

(3)

Pelagic waters

The term pelagic waters means the part of the open sea or ocean other than coastal waters.