The Senate last week approved a new pilot program to help communities and water utilities plan and demonstrate innovative technologies to increase energy and water efficiency. Passed as part of “Energy Policy Modernization Act” (S. 2012), the “Smart Energy and Water Efficiency Pilot Program” would award between three and five grants to municipalities or water utilities that propose innovative technology-based solutions that increase the energy and water efficiency of water, wastewater, and water reuse systems. Grant applications would be evaluated by the Energy Department, and projects would have to be completed within five years. The bill authorizes $15 million to carry out the program.
The pilot program as approved by the Senate closely resembles a proposal of the same name first offered last year by Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.), which passed the lower chamber in December as part of the House’s energy bill (H.R. 8). Lawmakers will now convene a conference committee to work out the differences between S. 2012 and H.R. 8, and the pilot program stands a good chance of remaining in the final energy legislation that will result.
Another provision in S. 2012 would create an interagency committee tasked with coordinating federal energy-water nexus research and development activities and issuing a strategic plan describing the government’s priorities and objectives in this area. The House’s energy bill does not have a corresponding provision, so it is uncertain whether that language will be included in the final energy bill.
Action on S. 2012 had been delayed for months after a group of Democratic senators attempted to add provisions to address the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. But Utah Republican Senator Mike Lee blocked this effort, and the Democrats are now expected to pursue another avenue to advance the Flint aid.