[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 141 (Monday, October 3, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     WATER DESALINATION ACT OF 1994

  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and pass the bill (H.R. 4944) to authorize the Secretary of the 
Interior to conduct studies regarding the desalination of water and 
water reuse, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4944

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Water Desalination Act of 
     1994''.

     SEC. 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY.

       In view of the increasing shortage of usable surface and 
     ground water in the United States and the world and the 
     importance of finding new sources of supply to meet present 
     and future water needs and to further the goals of the 
     Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act of 1974, the Water 
     Resources Research Act of 1984, Public Law 95-84 (as 
     amended), and Public Law 102-575, it is the policy of the 
     United States to conduct and sponsor research to develop low-
     cost alternatives for the desalination and reuse of water or 
     biologically impaired water and to provide for the 
     development of practicable low-cost means of producing water 
     of a quality suitable for environmental enhancement, 
     agricultural, industrial, municipal, and other beneficial 
     consumptive or nonconsumptive uses from saline or 
     biologically impaired waters on a scale sufficient to 
     determine the feasibility of the development of such water 
     production and distribution on a large scale for the purpose 
     of conserving and increasing water resources.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       As used in this Act:
       (1) Desalination or desalting.--The terms ``desalination'' 
     or ``desalting'' mean the use of any process or technique for 
     the removal and, when feasible, adaptation to beneficial use, 
     of organic and inorganic elements and compounds from saline 
     or biologically impaired waters, by itself or in conjunction 
     with other processes.
       (2) Saline water.--The term ``saline water'' means sea 
     water, brackish water, and other mineralized or chemically 
     impaired water.
       (3) United states.--The term ``United States'' means the 
     States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the 
     Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the territories and 
     possessions of the United States.
       (4) Usable water.--The term ``usable water'' means water of 
     a high quality suitable for environmental enhancement, 
     agricultural, industrial, municipal, and other beneficial 
     consumptive or nonconsumptive uses.
       (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.

     SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF RESEARCH AND STUDIES.

       (a) In General.--In order to determine the most cost-
     effective and technologically efficient means by which usable 
     water can be produced from saline water or water otherwise 
     impaired or contaminated, the Secretary is authorized to 
     award grants and to enter into contracts, to the extent 
     provided in advance in appropriation Acts, to conduct, 
     encourage, and assist in the financing of research to develop 
     processes for converting saline water or water otherwise 
     impaired or contaminated into water suitable for beneficial 
     uses. Awards of research grants and contracts under this 
     section shall be made on the basis of a competitive, merit-
     reviewed process. Research and study topics authorized by 
     this section include--
       (1) investigating desalination processes;
       (2) ascertaining the optimum mix of investment and 
     operating costs;
       (3) determining the best designs for different conditions 
     of operation;
       (4) investigating methods of increasing the economic 
     efficiency of desalination processes through dual-purpose co-
     facilities with other processes involving the use of water;
       (5) conducting or contracting for technical work, including 
     the design, construction, and testing of pilot systems and 
     test beds, to develop desalting processes and concepts; and
       (6) studying methods for the recovery of byproducts 
     resulting from the desalination of water to offset the costs 
     of treatment and to reduce environmental impacts from those 
     byproducts.
       (b) Project Recommendations and Reports to the Congress.--
     As soon as practicable and within three years after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall recommend to 
     Congress desalination demonstration projects or full-scale 
     desalination projects to carry out the purposes of this Act 
     and to further evaluate and implement the results of research 
     and studies conducted under the authority of this section. 
     Recommendations for projects shall be accompanied by reports 
     on the engineering and economic feasibility of proposed 
     projects and their environmental impacts.
       (c) Authority To Engage Others.--In carrying out research 
     and studies authorized in this section, the Secretary may 
     engage the necessary personnel, industrial or engineering 
     firms, Federal laboratories, water resources research and 
     technology institutes, other facilities, and educational 
     institutions suitable to conduct investigations and studies 
     authorized under this section.
       (d) Desalination Conference.--Within 12 months following 
     the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in 
     coordination with the United States Agency for International 
     Development, will plan and host a desalination conference, to 
     include officials and desalination experts from academia, 
     private industry, financial institutions, and government in 
     the United States and other nations that use or conduct 
     research on desalination. The conference shall explore 
     promising technologies and methods for near-term development 
     of affordable desalination and shall propose a research 
     agenda and a plan of action to guide longer-term desalination 
     development activities.

     SEC. 5. DESALINATION DEMONSTRATION AND DEVELOPMENT.

       (a) In General.--In order to further demonstrate the 
     feasibility of desalination processes investigated either 
     independently or in research conducted pursuant to section 4, 
     the Secretary shall administer and conduct a demonstration 
     and development program for water desalination and related 
     activities, including the following:
       (1) Desalination plants and modules.--Conduct or contract 
     for technical work, including the design, construction, and 
     testing of plants and modules to develop desalination 
     processes and concepts.
       (2) Byproducts.--Study methods for the marketing of 
     byproducts resulting from the desalting of water to offset 
     the costs of treatment and to reduce environmental impacts of 
     those byproducts.
       (3) Economic surveys.--Conduct economic studies and surveys 
     to determine present and prospective costs of producing water 
     for beneficial purposes in various locations by desalination 
     processes compared to other methods.
       (b) Cooperative Agreements.--Federal participation in 
     desalination activities may be conducted through cooperative 
     agreements, including cost-sharing agreements, with non-
     Federal public utilities and State and local governmental 
     agencies and other entities, in order to develop 
     recommendations for Federal participation in processes and 
     plants utilizing desalting technologies for the production of 
     water.

     SEC. 6. PARTICIPATION BY AGENCIES AND INTERESTED PERSONS.

       (a) Coordination With Other Agencies.--Activities 
     undertaken by the Secretary pursuant to this Act may be 
     coordinated or conducted jointly, as appropriate, with the 
     National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, United 
     States Army Corps of Engineers, National Aeronautics and 
     Space Administration, and Environmental Protection Agency, 
     and other Federal agencies, States, local government 
     agencies, water resources research and technology institutes, 
     and private entities.
       (b) Availability of Information.--All information from 
     studies sponsored or funded under authority of this Act shall 
     be considered public information.

     SEC. 7. TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE.

       The Secretary may--
       (1) accept technical and administrative assistance from 
     States and public or private agencies in connection with 
     studies, surveys, location, construction, operation, and 
     other work relating to the desalting of water, and
       (2) enter into contracts or agreements stating the purposes 
     for which the assistance is contributed and providing for the 
     sharing of costs between the Secretary and any such agency.

     SEC. 8. COST SHARING.

       The Federal share of the cost of a research, study, or 
     demonstration project or a desalination development project 
     or activity carried out under this Act shall not exceed 50 
     percent of the total cost of the project or research or study 
     activity. The Secretary shall prescribe appropriate 
     procedures to implement the provisions of this section. Costs 
     of operation, maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of 
     facilities funded under the authority of this Act shall be 
     non-Federal responsibilities.

     SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Section 4.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out section 4 of this Act $5,000,000 for fiscal year 
     1995 and $10,000,000 per year for fiscal years 1996 through 
     1999. Of these amounts, up to $1,000,000 in each fiscal year 
     may be awarded to institutions of higher education for 
     research grants without any cost-sharing requirement.
       (b) Section 5.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out section 5 of this Act $50,000,000 for fiscal years 
     1996 through 1999.

     SEC. 10. DROUGHT RELIEF FOR MADERA-CHOWCHILLA POWER AUTHORITY 
                   HYDROELECTRIC PROJECTS.

       Section 103 of the Reclamation States Emergency Drought 
     Relief Act of 1991 (106 Stat. 55; 43 U.S.C. 2213) is 
     amended--
       (1) by inserting in the first sentence after ``resulting 
     from drought conditions.'' the following: ``The Secretary is 
     further authorized to make a loan to the Madera-Chowchilla 
     Power Authority to assist in the repayment of financial 
     obligations associated with hydroelectric facilities that 
     have been adversely affected by drought conditions.''; and
       (2) by striking ``loan.'' at the end of the second proviso 
     and inserting ``loan, except that loans specifically for the 
     Madera-Chowchilla Power Authority associated with 
     hydroelectric facilities impacted by drought shall be under 
     such terms and conditions as the Secretary deems 
     appropriate.''.

     SEC. 11. AMENDMENT TO THE RECLAMATION PROJECTS AUTHORIZATION 
                   AND ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 1992.

       Title XVI of the Reclamation Projects Authorization and 
     Adjustment Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 390h et seq.) is amended by 
     adding the following section:

     ``SEC. 1618. ORANGE COUNTY REGIONAL WATER RECLAMATION 
                   PROJECT.

       ``(a) The Secretary is authorized to participate with the 
     Orange County Water District in the State of California, and 
     other appropriate authorities, in the planning, design and 
     construction of water reclamation projects to treat up to 
     100,000 acre feet per year of wastewater effluent from the 
     county of Orange, in order to provide new water supplies for 
     ground water replenishment, industrial applications and other 
     beneficial purposes, to reduce the demand for imported water, 
     and to reduce sewage effluent discharged into the ocean near 
     Huntington Beach.
       ``(b) The Secretary's share of costs associated with the 
     project described in section (a) shall not exceed 25 percent 
     of the total. The Secretary shall not provide funds for 
     operation or maintenance of the project.
       ``(c) There are authorized to be appropriated not more than 
     $250,000 for the design of projects under this section.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Miller] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the 
gentleman from Wyoming [Mr. Thomas] will be recognized for 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California [Mr. Miller].
  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
man consume.
  (Mr. MILLER of California asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend his remarks and include extraneous matter.)
  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, the purpose of H.R. 4944, as 
amended, is to authorize a Federal program of financial assistance to 
encourage new research and development of methods and techniques for 
water desalination. The bill would authorize the Secretary of the 
Interior, in cooperation with other agencies, to award and oversee 
contracts for studies regarding the desalination of water and water 
reuse. Demonstration projects for desalination facilities are also 
authorized. H.R. 4494 also authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to 
make a loan to the Madera-Chowchilla Power Authority for the purpose of 
assisting in the repayment of financial obligations associated with 
hydroelectric power facilities that have been adversely affected by 
drought conditions. Finally, studies for desalination projects in 
Orange County, CA are authorized by this legislation.
  As many of my colleagues know, we often must rely on advanced 
technology to solve problems of water shortages and contamination. For 
example, desalting of chemically and biologically impaired water can 
often be useful in solving problems of drought, contamination, and 
over-appropriation of supplies.
  The United States was once the leader in desalination technology. But 
severe budget cuts since 1981 have all but eliminated funds for 
desalination research.
  H.R. 4944 is intended to renew the leadership of the United States in 
desalination research and development. The bill authorizes the 
Secretary of the Interior to conduct studies to determine the best and 
most economical processes for converting saline water into water 
suitable for beneficial uses, and authorizes demonstration projects and 
construction of facilities for desalination, in cooperation with 
Federal, State, and local governments.
  H.R. 4944 was referred jointly to the Committee on Natural Resources 
and the Committee on Science, Space and Technology. I would like to 
thank Chairman George Brown of the Science Committee for his 
cooperation and for the assistance of his staff, in agreeing to 
consider this bill today. At the conclusion of my statement I will 
include a letter from Chairman Brown for the Record.
  I would also like to thank the ranking minority Member of the 
Committee on Natural Resources, Mr. Young, for his cooperation and the 
assistance of his staff.
  Enactment of H.R. 4944 will once again allow the United States to 
pursue water desalination as a means of reducing stress on our limited 
water supplies. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record a letter from the chairman of 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology:

                                             Committee on Science,


                                        Space, and Technology,

                               Washington, DC, September 30, 1994.
     Hon. George Miller,
     Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing concerning H.R. 4944, the 
     Water Desalination Act of 1994, which has been referred to 
     the Committees on Natural Resources and Science, Space, and 
     Technology.
       I have reviewed the bill, which authorizes a program of 
     scientific research into desalination processes and the 
     recovery of byproducts resulting from the desalination of 
     water. To expedite consideration of H.R. 4944 by the whole 
     House, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology will 
     waive its right to consideration of this legislation, without 
     prejudice to its jurisdiction on these matters.
       I would appreciate your including this letter as a part of 
     the Floor debate on H.R. 4944, and I deeply appreciate the 
     cooperation and courtesy that you and your committee have 
     extended to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. 
     I look forward to working with you in the future on matters 
     of mutual concern.
           Sincerely,
                                              George E. Brown, Jr.
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. THOMAS of Wyoming. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 2 minutes.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4944, Congressman Miller's 
legislation to authorize studies of the desalination of water.
  For decades, desalting ocean water has been the dream solution for 
the lack of water, particularly in California. However, many believe it 
is still too expensive to be a viable alternative.
  H.R. 4944 will authorize a grant program for desalination projects in 
the United States. Some Members on this side of the aisle believe that 
as water from other sources gets increasingly scarce and expensive, 
desalting is expected to become more attractive, even hundreds of miles 
from the sea.
  Perhaps this legislation will allow us to speed up the technology 
needed to have a cost-effective desalination program in the United 
States.
  I urge adoption of this measure.
  Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation which 
will benefit not only California, but all of our country by studying 
new ways to desalinate water.
  As a former environmental engineer, I recognize the importance of 
this task and therefore strongly believe that the United States should 
develop desalination technology to help reduce critical water shortages 
that many parts of our Nation face.
  For example, southern California's fast growing population is 
overwhelming our natural groundwater resources and outstripping our 
capability to import water. Thus, we must look for new sources of 
water, such as from the sea or through recycling.
  Given the high costs associated with imported water, I believe that 
these new sources will not only be cost competitive, but will help 
protect our Nation's wetlands by preserving more water for 
environmental purposes.
  I urge adoption of H.R. 4944 by the full House.
  Mr. BROWN of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4944, 
the Water Desalination Act of 1994. This legislation addresses a 
pressing need to find new, cost-effective ways to purify water for 
drinking and industrial purposes by establishing a program for 
desalination research and demonstration projects in the Department of 
the Interior.
  I want to congratulate the chairman of the Committee on Natural 
Resources, Mr. Miller, for his leadership in bringing this bill to the 
Floor.
  The need to develop new cost-effective methods for water treatment to 
meet ever-increasing demands on our Nation's water supply is well 
established. Hearings held before the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology and in the Senate in recent years have documented increased 
demands on our water supply in virtually all regions of this country.
  Over the past two decades, water usage has outstripped limited 
freshwater supplies, leading municipalities and industries to search 
for new sources of water. The 1992 drought in the southwestern United 
States put even more stress on traditional water resources, emphasizing 
the need to develop new sources of water. Brackish groundwater, and 
even seawater, are being considered as supplements for traditional 
freshwater supplies. Treatment of brackish and saline water supplies is 
most effectively accomplished through desalination.
  In 1992, the Science Committee reported legislation, which was 
enacted into law, to authorize a program of desalination research in 
the National Science Foundation. That program funds research aimed at 
improving membrance-based desalination processes, and next year the 
Foundation plans to leverage it own funds through a jointly funded 
desalination research program with the National Water Resources Board, 
a private nonprofit foundation based in California.
  While I am pleased that the National Science Foundation plans to 
expand its support of research on desalination, there is still a 
considerable unmet need for research and development, as well as for 
small-scale project to demonstrate the technical and commercial 
viability of improved desalination processes. The legislation before us 
will help to address these issues.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4944 addresses a long-neglected, but nonetheless 
pressing need to develop cost-effective new sources of water to meet 
new demands, and to find means to return that water safely to the 
environment. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. THOMAS of Wyoming. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Miller] that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 4944, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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