Landmark Wave Energy Legislation Heads to California Governor Newsom’s Desk after Unanimously Passing California Legislature

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The California State Senate voted unanimously late Thursday night in favor of SB 605, which calls for an extensive study and assessment of wave and tidal energy potential off of California’s 840-mile coastline.

The bill, introduced by Senator Steve Padilla (D-Chula Vista) and sponsored by AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, directs the California Energy Commission to work with various state agencies and stakeholders to assess the feasibility, costs, and potential of deploying wave and tidal energy technology across California’s coastline.

The bill now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk for his consideration.

“Wave and tidal energy present an incredible opportunity for California to meet their clean energy goals,” said Senator Padilla. “SB 605 will help us explore the potential for wave energy to expand our portfolio of clean renewable energy sources. If we can capture even a fraction of the potential power generated by our oceans, we open the door to exciting energy and employment opportunities.”

SB 605’s primary sponsor, AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, is a 35-acre ocean technology campus and will soon be home to some of California’s first wave energy pilot stations. In the coming months, Eco Wave Power will install its first US pilot station after successfully establishing energy stations in Gibraltar and Israel.

“Utilizing wave and tidal energy is crucial to meeting California’s important goals for clean air and a climate-resilient economy,” said Terry Tamminen, President and CEO of AltaSea. Tamminen served as Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency under Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. “SB 605 is another example of California’s innovation and leadership in the fight against climate change. I’m hopeful that Governor Newsom will sign SB 605 into law.”

California has established 2045 as its deadline to achieve a carbon-free energy grid. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a federally funded research & development center sponsored by the US Department of Energy, found that wave and tidal energy has the technical feasibility to supply 30 percent of the nation’s energy needs. The NREL report also found that California’s outer continental shelf has the potential wave energy resources to power 13 million homes.

“SB 605 is a landmark piece of legislation that continues to demonstrate California’s leadership in renewable energy,” said Eco Wave Power Founder & CEO Inna Braverman. “California’s 840-mile coastline is an ideal home to the nation’s first-ever wave & tidal energy legislation. Eco Wave Power’s innovative technology will be generating electricity at the Port of Los Angeles in the coming months to further demonstrate California’s leadership. We urge Governor Newsom to sign SB 605 into law – a huge first step to unlock the full power of the ocean.”

About AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles

AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, located on 35 acres at North America’s leading seaport by both container volume and cargo value, is dedicated to accelerating scientific collaboration, advancing an emerging blue economy through business innovation and job creation, and inspiring the next generation, all for a more sustainable, just, and equitable world.

For more information on AltaSea, please visit: https://altasea.org.