The California Senate Bill 605 – Wave and Tidal Energy – proposed by California State Senator Steve Padilla has passed both the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee and the Natural Resources and Water Committee unanimously. The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The legislative initiative seeks to create a framework for the development of wave energy in California and to establish a regulatory pathway for the construction and operation of wave energy projects in state waters.
The bill would also require California’s Energy Commission to develop a strategic plan for the deployment of wave and tidal technologies, infrastructure, and facilities. Further, it also notes that ocean energy represents the “third largest source of renewable energy and the largest source of underutilised renewable energy.”
Inna Braverman, Founder and CEO of Eco Wave Power Global AB, who submitted written testimony in support of the bill, said over 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, so it is no wonder we look to the ocean in our search for solutions to some of the world’s most daunting challenges, such as climate change.
“According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in California, the energy potential from the ocean is 140 TWh/year, which is the equivalent to the power needs of 13 million homes or 69 per cent of California’s 2019 net electricity generation.”
SB 605 recognises the vast potential and benefits that wave energy provides, saying that if developed and deployed at scale, wave and tidal energy can provide both economic and environmental benefits.
“Wave energy implementation in California will not only have a positive impact on the wellbeing of local communities, in terms of health, but will also create significant employment opportunities. It is expected that ocean energy will create job opportunities in manufacturing, transportation, construction, and engineering,” Braverman said.
Joining Braverman in testifying to the committees in support of the historic legislation was former CalEPA Secretary and current AltaSea President and CEO Terry Tamminen.
“We need to continue to innovate the policies, technologies, and financing of new clean, renewable energy sources for our state if we hope to achieve our ambitious goals for clean air and a climate-resilient economy,” said Tamminen in his testimony. “This important measure would set California on the path towards becoming a global leader in ocean energy and developing this untapped source of clean, resilient, abundant, and renewable energy.”
In January 2023, Eco Wave Power unveiled what is believed to be the first-ever onshore wave energy unit in the United States, at AltaSea’s campus at the Port of Los Angeles. Last year, Eco Wave Power entered into an agreement with AltaSea to implement a first of its kind wave energy pilot at AltaSea’s premises at the Port of Los Angeles.
SB 605 is the second bill introduced focused on exploring wave energy technology in the US in the past year. In March 2022, New Jersey Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak introduced legislation that would require the state of New Jersey to add wave energy to New Jersey’s energy master plan and provide funding for feasibility studies and pilot programs. The bill is currently in the State Senate Environment & Energy Committee and will be brought before the committee in the coming weeks.