“To cap off my multi-day, multi-stop tour of Rhode Island’s Blue Economy, I’m proud to announce new legislation to help continue federal investments into the pioneering ocean research and development that is being conducted in our state,” said Congressman Gabe Amo, a member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. “My Blue Economy and Innovation Act would keep the federal government’s attention focused on supporting the workers and industries in the Blue Economy.”
“We are grateful to Congressman Amo for his support of the blue economy, which is important to our state’s long-term economic success,” added Liz Tanner, Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce. “Investments like the Blue Economy and Innovation Act will help advance initiatives such as the Ocean Tech Hub—the only Tech Hub in the nation to focus solely on ocean technology—so that we may continue providing high-quality, good-paying jobs for Rhode Islanders.”
“The Blue Economy and Innovation Act legislation introduced by Congressman Amo will accelerate the Blue Economy in Rhode Island by creating a path for stronger investment in collaboration, innovation, workforce development, and purpose-built infrastructure that will serve as the backbone to the growing maritime technology ecosystem across the region,” commented Erik Brine, Director of 401 Tech Bridge.
Over the past two weeks, Congressman Gabe Amo (RI-01) toured Rhode Island’s First Congressional District to highlight the Ocean State’s leadership in the Blue Economy. Throughout the tour, Amo convened discussions with the workers, small businesses, higher education institutions, and nonprofits that are at the heart of Rhode Island’s Blue Economy.
The two-week tour featured key industries like offshore wind, ocean research and innovation, defense, marine manufacturing, and other sectors that comprise the Blue Economy, which directly employs 36,000 Rhode Islanders and contributes over $5 billion to the state’s gross domestic product every year. Nationwide, the Blue Economy supports 2.4 million jobs and contributes $397 billion to the nation’s gross domestic product.
The Blue Economy and Innovation Act
This bill would authorize and codify NSF ocean science activities and support federal grants for:
- Supporting transdisciplinary research to advance the understanding of ocean science and ocean, coastal, or Great Lakes waters.
- Developing, piloting, and deploying innovative technology to address challenges that affect ocean science and ocean, coastal, or Great Lakes waters.
- Expanding the scientific workforce capable of studying or managing ocean science or ocean, coastal, or Great Lakes waters.
- Repairing, maintaining, or upgrading research instrumentation or infrastructure related to ocean science or ocean, coastal, or Great Lakes waters.
Additionally, the bill would clarify that grantees may partner with Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs, including Rhode Island’s Ocean Tech Hub.
Blue Economy Tour Highlights
On October 16, Congressman Amo convened a roundtable conversation at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI)’s Lincoln campus to discuss opportunities for labor through the Blue Economy. Earlier this spring, CCRI launched its Global Wind Organization Basic Safety Training program to provide safety training for workers engaged in offshore wind farm construction and operation. After the roundtable, Congressman Amo participated in one of the training modules for this safety program.
On October 17, Congressman Amo led a roundtable with academic leaders from across Rhode Island’s campuses to highlight the groundbreaking research in oceanography, coastal law, and ocean engineering taking place in the Ocean State. The conversation highlighted the cross-sector research and innovation our higher education institutions are leading and illustrated new pathways for collaborations between education, government, and the workforce to help retain workers for Rhode Island’s Blue Economy.
On October 22, Congressman Amo visited the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport to discuss their Blue Economy defense work and tour their Narragansett Bay Test Facility. Then, he visited VATN Systems in Portsmouth to witness a live demonstration of one of their autonomous underwater vehicles. Finally, Congressman Amo visited Flux Marine in Bristol to explore their all-electric outboard motor manufacturing and development.
On October 24, Congressman Amo gave a presentation at 401 Tech Bridge’s NavalX annual Program Management Review to highlight his findings from his Blue Economy tour stops and further discuss federal support for the Blue Economy and the vital role it plays in our national defense.
Additional Background
As a Member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Congressman Amo has spoken about the need for increased funding for the Wind Technology Office at the Department of Energy, which supports President Joe Biden’s goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030 and advocates for adequate and affordable transmission access to offshore wind deployment.
Rhode Island remains the leader across the country in renewable energy as the first state to commit to 100% renewable energy by 2033. The state has set the goal of deploying 1,600 MW of offshore wind capacity, which could represent up to $6,000,000 in capital investment and generate the energy needed to power 900,000 homes. These investments would eliminate 3 million metric tons of CO2 from Rhode Island’s power sector.
