Energy and Water Research Integration Act

The Energy and Water Research Integration Act (HR 3598), introduced by Representative Bart Gordon, would provide additional tools in a national effort to address the growing problems related to the supply and quality of water and energy.  Water is needed to generate energy and produce fuel, and energy is needed to pump, treat, and distribute water.  The need for energy is growing at the same time that water supply shortages are predicted.  Research, development, and demonstration of technologies that will meet the needs for both resources are necessary.  The bill would direct the Secretary of Energy to integrate water-related issues into the Department of Energy’s existing energy and energy efficiency research, development and demonstration programs.  In addition, the bill would direct the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with other relevant federal agencies, to establish the Energy-Water Architecture Council (EWAC) to provide improved energy and water resource data collection, reporting and technological innovation.  The bill would allocate $65 million per year from 2011 through 2015 to the Secretary of Energy to carry out these measures.  These investments will allow us to better understand the critical linkages between two important resources—energy and water.