July saw action in the House of Representatives on two legislative proposals that would address the energy-water nexus.
One bill approved by the Energy and Commerce Committee (H.R. 2665, the Smart Energy and Water Efficiency Act) would authorize the Department of Energy (DOE) to award between three and five grants to municipalities or water districts to demonstrate advanced and innovative technology-based solutions that would increase and improve the energy efficiency of water, wastewater, and water reuse systems. DOE would be directed to spend at least $15 million on the initiative.
Later in the month, the full House passed the Energy and Water Research Integration Act (H.R. 34). That bill would direct DOE to incorporate the consideration of water use and treatment into all of its relevant research, development, and demonstration programs. The legislation also would instruct DOE to coordinate with other relevant agencies, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, states, and industry representatives to ensure that it gives adequate consideration and resources to energy and water interdependencies in the future. The department would further be required to complete a strategic plan for reaching these objectives.
There is no word yet on when H.R. 2665 might go before the full House, or whether H.R. 34 will see consideration in the Senate.