Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Works to Fund Clean Energy Programs, Environmental Restoration, and Environmental Research

Press Release

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) announced funding for Hawai"i beneficial programs she led and supported which were included in the Fiscal Year 2021 Energy and Water Development funding bill passed by the House Appropriations Committee and then included as part of the "minibus" -- a combination of 6 smaller funding bills -- that was passed by the House of Representatives today.

"As island residents, we are connected to our natural environments through our sustainable Ahupua'a that extends from the mountains to the ocean. We understand that when conservation and economic development needs are balanced, we build strong, sustainable communities," said Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. "The $93.1 billion Energy and Water funding legislation will help Hawai"i transition to clean, renewable energy sources, protect coastal areas, mitigate flooding, improve harbor infrastructures, and help recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an effort to expand Hawai"i beneficial clean energy technologies, the Committee included Rep. Gabbard's request requiring the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to report on completed, ongoing, and planned Sea Water Air Conditioning (SWAC) and Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) projects in non-contiguous states and U.S. territories as well as ways to expand these clean energy technologies..

This builds on legislation Rep. Gabbard introduced last year, the E. Cooper Brown Ocean Clean Energy Act, which incentivizes the use of these technologies to help urban and coastal communities meet their energy needs..

Rep. Gabbard led efforts to robustly fund Army Corps of Engineer Civil Works (CW) and Continuing Authorities Programs (CAP) programs including the Emergency Streambank and Shoreline Protection, Beneficial Uses of Dredged Material, Flood Control Projects, Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration, National Shoreline Management Study, Aquatic Plant Control, Flood Plain Management Services, Aquatic Plant Control, Emergency Streambank Protection, Shoreline Protection, and Regional Sediment Management programs. She also secured $305,000 for the Fort DeRussey Recreation Visitor's Center and $200,000 for Hilo Harbor breakwater repairs.

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