Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Act

The Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Act of 1980 (OTECA) is an act authorized by Congress to address ocean thermal conversion. It is one of six acts enacted by the Energy Security Act of 1980. Ocean thermal energy conversion is the extraction of energy from the thermal differentials of subsea and surface water in regions with tropical oceans.

The OTECA activities by means of three main functions:


 * The regulation of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) facilities and plantships.
 * Maritime financing of such facilities and plantships.
 * The enforcement of law and regulations concerning this issue.

OTECA establishes rules for the protection of the environment as well as to ensure the protection of life and property.

For the purposes of the Merchant Marine Act (1936), any ship providing service for OTEC facilities shall be considered "be deemed to be used in, and used in an essential service in, the foreign commerce or foreign trade of the United States." This was to allow financing under the 1936 act.

The act limits the ownership, construction and operation of offshore ocean thermal energy facilities and plantships to those licensed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).