[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 43 (Thursday, April 6, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E531-E532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 MORE WATER AND MORE ENERGY ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 5, 2006

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the ``More 
Water and More Energy Act of 2006.''
  My bill deals with the issue of ``produced water,'' the saline water 
generated in the production of oil. For every barrel of oil produced, 
approximately 10 barrels of saline water is generated. This country 
generates over 5 billion gallons of produced water per day.
  While sometimes this water can be and is used for agriculture or 
other purposes, most often it has been handled as a waste and 
reinjected. But as we expand our development of fossil energy resources 
to meet our increasing demand for energy, we are also increasing the 
volume of water produced in the development process. And given the 
increasing demand for fresh water supplies in many areas of the 
country--especially in the West--it makes sense to consider how this 
produced water could supplement our limited fresh water resources.
  I'm glad that this issue is beginning to engage so many around the 
country as they realize the potential benefits of produced water. Just 
this week, the Colorado Water Resources Research Institute is hosting a 
``Produced Water Workshop'' to discuss ``Energy & Water--How Can We Get 
Both for the Price of One?''
  In my opinion, few topics could be more timely or important, not only 
for Colorado but for our country.
  That's why I'm introducing the More Water and More Energy Act--to 
facilitate the use of produced water for irrigation and other purposes, 
including municipal and industrial uses. The bill would direct the 
Secretary of the Interior (through the Bureau of Reclamation and the 
U.S.G.S.) to carry out a study to identify the technical, economic, 
environmental, legal, and other obstacles to increasing the extent to 
which produced water can be used for such purposes.
  In addition, it would authorize federal grants to assist in the 
development of facilities to demonstrate the feasibility, 
effectiveness, and safety of processes to increase the extent to which 
produce water can be recovered and made suitable for use for such 
purposes.

[[Page E532]]

  Developing beneficial uses for produced water could reduce the costs 
of oil and gas development, while also easing demand for water--
especially in the West--by alleviating drought conditions and providing 
water for agriculture, industry, and other uses. Energy and water are 
two of our most important resources--so it makes sense to pursue ways 
to produce more of both. I believe my bill is a step in this direction.
  Here is a brief outline of the bill's provisions:
       Section One--provides a short title (``More Water and 
     Energy Act of 2006''), sets forth findings, and states the 
     bill's purpose, ``to facilitate the use of produced water for 
     irrigation and other purposes and to demonstrate ways to 
     accomplish that result.''
       Section Two--provides definitions of key terms used in the 
     legislation.
       Section Three--authorizes and directs the Secretary of the 
     Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation and the 
     U.S. Geological Survey, to conduct a study to identify the 
     technical, economic, environmental, legal, and other 
     obstacles to increasing the use of produced water for 
     irrigation and other purposes and the legislative, 
     administrative, and other actions that could reduce or 
     eliminate these obstacles. The study is to be done in 
     consultation with the Department of Energy, the Environmental 
     Protection Agency, and appropriate Governors and local 
     officials, and the Interior Department will be required to 
     seek the advice of experts and comments and suggestions from 
     the public. Results of the study are to be reported to 
     Congress within a year after enactment of the legislation.
       Section Four--authorizes and directs (subject to the 
     availability of appropriated funds) the Interior Department 
     to award grants to assist in developing facilities to 
     demonstrate the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of 
     processes to increase the use of produced water for 
     irrigation, municipal or industrial uses, or for other 
     purposes. No more than one such project is to be in a State 
     of the Upper Basin of the Colorado River (i.e. Colorado, New 
     Mexico, Utah, or Wyoming), no more than one is to be in 
     either Arizona or Nevada, and no more than one is to be in 
     California. Grants are to be for a maximum of $1 million, and 
     can pay for no more than half the cost of any project. Grants 
     cannot be used for operation or maintenance of a project.
       Section Five--authorizes appropriations to implement the 
     legislation, including up to $5 million for grants authorized 
     by section 4.

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