Bill Overview
Title: Ocean Restoration Research and Development Act of 2022
Description: This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a pilot program for the research and development of ocean replenishment and restoration technologies and techniques that have the potential to achieve regional-to-global scale ocean restoration, enhancement of fisheries, conservation of marine mammals, and emissions reductions. DOE shall prioritize activities that take place in pelagic waters and will not stimulate phytoplankton production that causes or accelerates harmful algal blooms in coastal waters. Pelagic waters means the part of the open sea or ocean other than coastal waters.
Sponsors: Rep. McKinley, David B. [R-WV-1]
Target Audience
Population: People dependent on or benefiting from healthy ocean ecosystems
Estimated Size: 20000000
- The bill focuses on ocean restoration, which indirectly impacts all individuals relying on ocean ecosystems for food, climate regulation, and biodiversity.
- Ocean restoration can impact fisheries, which are crucial for food security, livelihoods, and economies around the world.
- Marine mammals' conservation plays a significant role in tourism and maintaining ecosystem health, impacting global biodiversity.
- Emissions reduction efforts as part of ocean restoration can affect global climate change, impacting worldwide populations.
Reasoning
- The policy targets global ocean restoration efforts, which have comprehensive implications but are often indirect for the general public.
- Key stakeholders or directly impacted populations include individuals working in fisheries, marine tourism, or involved in conservation efforts around pelagic waters beyond the US coastline.
- The budget suggests a focus on large-scale research and pilot projects rather than immediate nationwide implementation, leading to differential impacts among individuals.
- Individuals might not see direct improvements in self-reported wellbeing immediately due to the focus on long-term environmental health and economic benefits of restored ecosystems.
Simulated Interviews
Fisherman (Miami, Florida)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy sounds promising as it could enhance fish stocks, but the benefits seem way into the future.
- I'm worried that the budget might not be enough to notice changes soon.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Marine biologist (San Diego, California)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The added funding for ocean research can greatly enhance our understanding and efforts in marine conservation.
- I hope this leads to more job opportunities in my field and tangible environmental benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 7 |
Tourism operator (Anchorage, Alaska)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Efforts in ocean restoration could improve marine life populations, boosting tourism in the long run.
- I'm optimistic but cautious because the scale and timeline mean immediate effects aren't likely.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
College student (College Station, Texas)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like this increase hope for a sustainable future.
- Such initiatives can open new career opportunities for young professionals like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Restaurant owner (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If the policy truly helps fish populations recover, it could be great for my business.
- It's hard to say if provincial policies would have local impacts due to the scale of this bill.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Environmental advocate (Portland, Maine)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a significant commitment to marine health! It gives hope for long-term ocean sustainability.
- We need strong monitoring to ensure goals are met and not just theoretical.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 7 |
Software developer (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Investing in ocean restoration aligns with broader environmental goals that I support.
- The effects on day-to-day life are indirect, but it's satisfying to know this work will benefit future generations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Charter boat operator (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Restoration of the ocean ecosystems is crucial for the survival of my business.
- I hope the introduced technologies will create a direct boost in my fish-dependent operations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired educator (Boston, Massachusetts)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any step towards sustainable ocean management is a step in the right direction.
- I'm excited to see indirect benefits on weather patterns and biodiversity as a result.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Journalist (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 54 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Official measures towards ocean restoration are an essential narrative for environmental journalism.
- I anticipate significant coverage potential around tech innovations in ocean conservation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $40000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $45000000 (Low: $35000000, High: $65000000)
Year 3: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $70000000)
Year 5: $-1 (Low: $-1, High: $-1)
Year 10: $-1 (Low: $-1, High: $-1)
Year 100: $-1 (Low: $-1, High: $-1)
Key Considerations
- The complexity and novelty of the proposed ocean restoration technologies can significantly influence costs and timelines.
- Ensuring activities do not stimulate harmful algal blooms may require additional safeguards and monitoring.
- Potential international collaboration and partnerships could influence both costs and benefits.