MARITIME ENVIRONMENTAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

SEC. 3511. MARITIME ENVIRONMENTAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. (a) In General.—Chapter 503 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “SEC. 50307. Maritime environmental and technical assistance “(a) In General. The Secretary of Transportation may engage in the environmental study, research, development, assessment, and deployment of emerging marine technologies and practices related to the marine transportation system through the use of public vessels under the control of the Maritime Administration or private vessels under United States registry, and through partnerships and cooperative efforts with academic, public, private, and non-governmental entities and facilities. “(b) Requirements. The Secretary of Transportation may— “(1) identify, study, evaluate, test, demonstrate, or improve emerging marine technologies and practices that are likely to achieve environmental improvements by— “(A) reducing air emissions, water emissions, or other ship discharges; “(B) increasing fuel economy or the use of alternative fuels and alternative energy (including the use of shore power); or “(C) controlling aquatic invasive species; and “(2) coordinate with the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Coast Guard, and other Federal, State, local, or tribal agencies, as appropriate. “(c) Coordination. Coordination under subsection (b)(2) may include— “(1) activities that are associated with the development or approval of validation and testing regimes; and “(2) certification or validation of emerging technologies or practices that demonstrate significant environmental benefits. “(d) Assistance. The Secretary of Transportation may accept gifts, or enter into cooperative agreements, contracts, or other agreements with academic, public, private, and non-governmental entities to carry out the activities authorized under subsection (a).” . (b) Conforming Amendment.—The table of contents for chapter 503 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 50306 the following: “50307. Maritime environmental and technical assistance.” .