Energy and water research and assessment

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Energy shall assess each of the energy research, development, and demonstration programs and projects of the Department of Energy and identify those programs and projects into which it is appropriate to integrate water considerations. In carrying out this section the Secretary shall, as appropriate— (1)seek to advance energy and energy efficiency technologies and practices that would— (A)minimize freshwater withdrawal and consumption; (B)increase water use efficiency; and (C)utilize nontraditional water sources with efforts to improve the quality of that water; (2)consider the effects climate variability and change may have on water supplies and quality for energy generation and fuel production; and (3)improve understanding of the energy required to provide water supplies and the water required to provide reliable energy supplies throughout the United States. (b)

Strategic plan

(1)

In general

Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall develop a Strategic Plan (in this section referred to as the Strategic Plan) outlining the research, development, and demonstration needs for the programs and projects identified under subsection (a), in accordance with subsections (a) through (c) of this section, as appropriate. (2)

Milestones and specific considerations

In carrying out the development and updating of the Strategic Plan in accordance with this subsection, the Secretary shall evaluate and, as appropriate, establish technical milestones for— (A)new advanced cooling technologies for energy generation and fuel production technologies; (B)performance improvement of existing cooling technologies and cost reductions associated with using those technologies; (C)innovative water reuse, recovery, and treatment in energy generation and fuel production; (D)technology development for carbon capture and storage systems that utilize efficient water use design strategies; (E)technologies that are life-cycle cost effective; (F)systems analysis and modeling of issues relating to the energy required to provide water supplies and the water required to provide reliable energy supplies throughout the United States; (G)technologies to treat and utilize produced waters discharged from oil, natural gas, coalbed methane, and mining activities; (H)advanced materials for the use of nontraditional water sources for energy generation and fuel production; (I)biomass production and utilization and the impact on hydrologic systems; (J)technologies that reduce impacts on water from energy resource development; (K)increases in energy efficiency of water distribution and collection systems; (L)technologies for energy generation from water distribution and collection systems; and (M)any other area of the energy-water nexus that the Secretary considers appropriate. (3)

Interagency collaboration and nonduplication

In carrying out the development and updating of the Strategic Plan in accordance with this subsection, the Secretary shall, where appropriate, work collaboratively with other Federal agencies operating related programs and avoid duplication. (4)

Intra-agency coordination and nonduplication

In carrying out the development and updating of the Strategic Plan in accordance with this subsection, the Secretary shall coordinate and avoid duplication of activities across programs and projects of the Department of Energy, including with those of the National laboratories. (5)

Relevant information and recommendations

In carrying out the development and updating of the Strategic Plan in accordance with this subsection, the Secretary shall consider and incorporate, as appropriate, relevant information and recommendations, including those of the National Water Availability and Use Assessment Program under section 9508(d) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (42 U.S.C. 10368(d)). (6)

Nongovernmental participation

In carrying out the development and updating of the Strategic Plan in accordance with this subsection, the Secretary shall consult and coordinate with a diverse group of representatives from research and academic institutions and industry who have expertise in technologies and practices relating to the energy required to provide water supplies and the water required to provide reliable energy supplies throughout the United States. (7)

Submission to congress

Not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress the Strategic Plan. (8)

Updating the strategic plan

Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall utilize relevant information produced by Federal Government agencies, academia, and industry to update the Strategic Plan, and submit a report to Congress describing the changes from the initial Strategic Plan. (c)

Implementation

(1)

In general

The Secretary of Energy shall implement the Strategic Plan, as appropriate, in carrying out energy research, development, and demonstration programs of the Department of Energy. (2)

Application to projects

Not later than 3 months after the submission of the report to Congress in subsection (b)(7)), the Secretary shall as appropriate apply the Strategic Plan to projects— (A)identified as the most energy and water intensive; and (B)with the most potential to achieve the purposes of this section. (3)

Delay or disruption

In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall ensure that no program or project of the Department is unnecessarily delayed or disrupted. (d)

Reports

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and at least once every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report on its findings and activities under this section. (e)

Additional activities

The Secretary may provide for such additional research, development, and demonstration activities as may be appropriate to integrate water considerations into the research, development, and demonstration activities of the Department as described in subsection (a). (f)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Energy for carrying out this section $60,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2011 through 2015.

Energy-Water Architecture Council

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Energy, in coordination with other relevant Federal agencies, shall establish an Energy-Water Architecture Council to promote and enable improved energy and water resource data collection, reporting, and technological innovation. The Council shall consist of— (1)representation from each Federal agency that conducts research related to energy and water resource data; and (2)non-Federal members, including representatives of research and academic institutions and industry, who have expertise in technologies and practices relating to the energy required to provide water supplies and the water required to provide reliable energy supplies throughout the United States. (b)

Functions

The Council shall— (1)make recommendations on the development of data collection and data communication standards and protocols to agencies and entities currently engaged in collecting the data for the energy required to provide water supplies and the water required to provide reliable energy supplies throughout the United States; (2)recommend ways to make improvements to Federal water use data to increase understanding of trends in energy generation and fuel production; (3)recommend best practices for utilizing information from existing monitoring networks to provide nationally uniform water and energy use and infrastructure data; and (4)conduct annual technical workshops, including at least one regional workshop annually, to facilitate information exchange among Federal, State, and private sector experts on technologies that encourage the conservation and efficient use of water and energy. (c)

Reports

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and at least once every 2 years thereafter, the Council, through the Secretary of Energy, shall transmit to the Congress a report on its findings and activities under this section. (d)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Energy for carrying out this section $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2011 through 2015.