---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 17215"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "17215"
heading: "National Marine Energy Centers"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/17215"
units:
  - "Chapter 152 — Energy Independence and Security"
  - "Subchapter V — Accelerated Research and Development"
  - "Part C — Water Power Research and Development"
---

# §17215. National Marine Energy Centers

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall award grants, each such grant up to $10,000,000 per year, to institutions of higher education (or consortia thereof) for—
  - (1) the continuation and expansion of the research, development, demonstration, testing, and commercial application activities at the National [Marine Energy](/usc/42/17211.md?p=3) Centers (referred to in this section as “Centers”) established as of January 1, 2020; and
  - (2) the establishment of new National [Marine Energy](/usc/42/17211.md?p=3) Centers.
- (b) **Location selection—** In selecting institutions of higher education for new Centers, the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall consider the following criteria:
  - (1) Whether the institution hosts an existing [marine energy](/usc/42/17211.md?p=3) research and development [program](/usc/42/17151.md?p=5).
  - (2) Whether the institution has proven technical expertise to support [marine energy](/usc/42/17211.md?p=3) research.
  - (3) Whether the institution has access to marine resources.
- (c) **Purposes—** The Centers shall coordinate among themselves, the [Department](/usc/42/17001.md?p=1), and [National Laboratories](/usc/42/17211.md?p=4) to—
  - (1) advance research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of [marine energy](/usc/42/17211.md?p=3) technologies in response to industry and commercial needs;
  - (2) support in-water testing and demonstration of [marine energy](/usc/42/17211.md?p=3) technologies, including facilities capable of testing—
    - (A) [marine energy](/usc/42/17211.md?p=3) systems of various technology readiness levels and scales;
    - (B) a variety of technologies in multiple test berths at a single location;
    - (C) arrays of technology devices; and
    - (D) interconnectivity to an electrical grid, including [microgrids](/usc/42/17211.md?p=6); and
  - (3) collect and disseminate information on best [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) in all areas relating to developing and managing [marine energy](/usc/42/17211.md?p=3) resources and energy systems.
- (d) **Coordination—** To the extent practicable, the Centers shall coordinate their activities with the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) of Commerce, acting through the Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and other relevant Federal [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1).
- (e) **Termination—** To the extent otherwise authorized by law, the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) may terminate funding for a Center described in paragraph (a) if such Center is under-performing.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 110–140, title VI, § 636, as added Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title III, § 3001(a), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2484.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 17215, Pub. L. 110–140, title VI, § 636, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1688, related to authorization of appropriations, prior to the general amendment of this part by Pub. L. 116–260.