[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 39 (Thursday, March 5, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2830-S2832]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BINGAMAN (for himself and Ms. Murkowski):
  S. 531. A bill to provide for the conduct of an in-depth analysis of 
the impact of energy development and production on the water resources 
of the United States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, today I am introducing a bill, with 
Senator Murkowski's support, that will improve our understanding of the 
interdependence of energy and water and begin integrating decision-
making for both resources. The relationship between energy and water is 
an often overlooked but serious issue that is growing in importance.
  Energy and water are crucial components of modern life. Production of 
energy and freshwater are inextricably linked. Each is required for the 
production of the other, and neither resource is routinely considered 
in developing management policies for the other. As population density 
continues to increase in already water-stressed regions, it is crucial 
that the United States develop new policies that integrate energy and 
water solutions so that one resource does not undermine the use of the 
other.
  Thermal power generation, coal, natural gas, oil, and nuclear, 
accounts for 39 percent of freshwater withdrawals in the U.S., second 
only to agriculture-related withdrawals. Water use can range from 7,500 
gallons of water per megawatt-hour produced, gal/MWhr, for natural gas 
plants, to 60,000 gal/MWhr for some nuclear facilities. Petroleum 
refineries also use a significant amount of water, and the water 
demands of the transportation sector will only increase as the U.S. 
seeks to reduce its reliance on foreign oil. The two primary options 
for reducing gasoline use--plug-in hybrids and biofuels--are both more 
water intensive than gasoline. By some estimates, plug-in hybrids 
consume three times more water per mile traveled than conventional 
gasoline vehicles. If the entire production cycle is considered, some 
biofuels can consume as much as 20 times more water per mile traveled. 
Three provisions of the bill attempt to highlight and further analyze 
these issues: a National Academies study of water use in transportation 
fuel production and electricity generation; the development of power 
plant water use guidelines by the Department of Energy; and a directive 
to the Secretary of Energy to finalize an energy-water research and 
development roadmap to guide policy efforts in the future. Better data 
will lead to integration of water considerations in the development of 
energy policy.
  Just as our energy consumption uses large amounts of water, the 
acquisition, treatment, and delivery of water supplies consumes massive 
amounts of energy. For example, 19 percent of California's electricity 
consumption is for water-related energy uses. Overall, treatment and 
delivery of municipal water supplies consume 3 percent of the nation's 
electricity. The bill addresses the issue of water-related energy 
consumption by directing the Bureau of Reclamation to evaluate energy 
use in Reclamation projects and identify ways to reduce such use. The 
bill also directs the Energy Information Administration to gather data 
and report on the energy consumed by water treatment and delivery 
activities. Once again, better data will lead to improved decision-
making by State, local, and Federal water managers. Furthermore, the 
bill establishes research priorities for the Bureau of Reclamation's 
Brackish Groundwater Desalination Facility, including renewable energy 
integration with desalination technologies. To the extent that 
renewable energy can be integrated

[[Page S2831]]

with water treatment and delivery facilities, public acceptance of new 
water supply proposals is likely to increase.
  The bill being introduced today is a good first step towards 
integrating energy and water policy. Such efforts will become 
increasingly necessary as growing populations, environmental needs, and 
a changing climate continue to affect both energy and water resources. 
I look forward to this legislation increasing the dialogue on these 
issues and hope that we can incorporate additional ideas as the 
legislative process proceeds.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
placed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 531

       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 ``Energy and Water Integration 
     Act of 2009''.

     SEC. 2. ENERGY WATER NEXUS STUDY.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy (referred to 
     in this Act as the ``Secretary''), in consultation with the 
     Secretary of the Interior and the Administrator of the 
     Environmental Protection Agency, shall enter into an 
     arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences under which 
     the Academy shall conduct an in-depth analysis of the impact 
     of energy development and production on the water resources 
     of the United States.
       (b) Scope of Study.--
       (1) In general.--The study described in subsection (a) 
     shall be comprised of each assessment described in paragraphs 
     (2) through (4).
       (2) Transportation sector assessment.--
       (A) In general.--The study shall include a lifecycle 
     assessment of the quantity of water withdrawn and consumed in 
     the production of transportation fuels, or electricity, to 
     evaluate the ratio that--
       (i) the quantity of water withdrawn and consumed in the 
     production of transportation fuels (measured in gallons), or 
     electricity (measured in kilowatts); bears to
       (ii) the total distance (measured in miles) that may be 
     traveled as a result of the consumption of transportation 
     fuels, or electricity.
       (B) Scope of assessment.--
       (i) In general.--The assessment shall include, as 
     applicable--

       (I) the exploration for, and extraction or growing of, 
     energy feedstock;
       (II) the processing of energy feedstock into transportation 
     fuel;
       (III) the generation, transportation, and storage of 
     electricity for transportation; and
       (IV) the conduct of an analysis of the efficiency with 
     which the transportation fuel is consumed.

       (ii) Fuels.--The assessment shall contain an analysis of 
     transportation fuel sources, including--

       (I) domestically produced crude oil (including products 
     derived from domestically produced crude oil);
       (II) imported crude oil (including products derived from 
     imported crude oil);
       (III) domestically produced natural gas (including liquid 
     fuels derived from natural gas);
       (IV) imported natural gas (including liquid fuels derived 
     from natural gas);
       (V) oil shale;
       (VI) tar sands;
       (VII) domestically produced corn-based ethanol;
       (VIII) imported corn-based ethanol;
       (IX) advanced biofuels (including cellulosic- and algae-
     based biofuels);
       (X) coal to liquids (including aviation fuel, diesel, and 
     gasoline products);
       (XI) electricity consumed in--

       (aa) fully electric drive vehicles; and
       (bb) plug-in hybrid vehicles;

       (XII) hydrogen; and
       (XIII) any reasonably foreseeable combination of any 
     transportation fuel source described in subclauses (I) 
     through (XII).

       (3) Electricity sector assessment.--
       (A) In general.--The study shall include a lifecycle 
     assessment of the quantity of water withdrawn and consumed in 
     the production of electricity to evaluate the ratio that--
       (i) the quantity of water used and consumed in the 
     production of electricity (measured in gallons); bears to
       (ii) the quantity of electricity that is produced (measured 
     in kilowatt-hours).
       (B) Scope of assessment.--The assessment shall include, as 
     applicable--
       (i) the exploration for, or extraction or growing of, 
     energy feedstock;
       (ii) the processing of energy feedstock for electricity 
     production; and
       (iii) the production of electricity.
       (C) Generation types.--The assessment shall contain an 
     evaluation and analysis of electricity generation facilities 
     that are constructed in accordance with different plant 
     designs (including different cooling technologies such as 
     water, air, and hybrid systems, and technologies designed to 
     minimize carbon dioxide releases) based on the fuel used by 
     the facility, including--
       (i) coal;
       (ii) natural gas;
       (iii) oil;
       (iv) nuclear energy;
       (v) solar energy;
       (vi) wind energy;
       (vii) geothermal energy;
       (viii) biomass;
       (ix) the beneficial use of waste heat; and
       (x) any reasonably foreseeable combination of any fuel 
     described in clauses (i) through (ix).
       (4) Assessment of additional impacts.--In addition to the 
     impacts associated with the direct use and consumption of 
     water resources in the transportation and electricity sectors 
     described in paragraphs (2) and (3), the study shall contain 
     an identification and analysis of any unique water impact 
     associated with a specific fuel source, including an impact 
     resulting from--
       (A) any extraction or mining practice;
       (B) the transportation of feedstocks from the point of 
     extraction to the point of processing;
       (C) the transportation of fuel and power from the point of 
     processing to the point of consumption; and
       (D) the location of a specific fuel source that is limited 
     to 1 or more specific geographical regions.
       (c) Report to Secretary.--Not later than 18 months after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, the National Academy of 
     Sciences shall submit to the Secretary a report that contains 
     a summary of the results of the study conducted under this 
     section.
       (d) Availability of Results of Study.--On the date on which 
     the National Academy of Sciences completes the study under 
     this section, the National Academy of Sciences shall make 
     available to the public the results of the study.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as are 
     necessary to carry out this section.

     SEC. 3. POWER PLANT WATER AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY.

       (a) In General.--To protect water supplies and promote the 
     efficient use of water in the electricity production sector, 
     the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the 
     Interior and the Administrator of the Environmental 
     Protection Agency, shall conduct a study to identify the best 
     available technologies and related strategies to maximize 
     water and energy efficiency in the production of electricity 
     by each type of generation.
       (b) Generation Types.--The study shall include an 
     evaluation of different types of generation facilities, 
     including--
       (1) coal facilities, under which the evaluation shall 
     account for--
       (A) different types of coal and associated generating 
     technologies; and
       (B) the use of technologies designed to minimize and 
     sequester carbon dioxide releases;
       (2) oil and natural gas facilities, under which the 
     evaluation shall account for the use of technologies designed 
     to minimize and sequester carbon dioxide releases;
       (3) hydropower, including turbine upgrades, incremental 
     hydropower, in-stream hydropower, and pump-storage projects;
       (4) thermal solar facilities; and
       (5) nuclear facilities.
       (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 18 months after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 
     the appropriate committees of Congress a report that contains 
     a description of the results of the study conducted under 
     this section.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as are 
     necessary to carry out this section, to remain available 
     until expended.

     SEC. 4. WATER CONSERVATION AND ENERGY SAVINGS STUDY.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Major reclamation project.--The term ``major 
     Reclamation project'' means a multipurpose project authorized 
     by the Federal Government and carried out by the Bureau of 
     Reclamation.
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of 
     Reclamation.
       (b) Study.--
       (1) In general.--In accordance with paragraph (2), to 
     promote the efficient use of energy in water distribution 
     systems, the Secretary shall conduct a study to evaluate the 
     quantities of energy used in water storage and delivery 
     operations in major Reclamation projects.
       (2) Elements.--In conducting the study, the Secretary 
     shall--
       (A) with respect to each major Reclamation project--
       (i) assess and estimate the annual energy consumption 
     associated with the major Reclamation project; and
       (ii) identify--

       (I) each major Reclamation project that consumes the 
     greatest quantity of energy; and
       (II) the aspect of the operation of each major Reclamation 
     project described in subclause (I) that is the most energy 
     intensive (including water storage and releases, water 
     delivery, and administrative operations); and

       (B) identify opportunities to significantly reduce current 
     energy consumption and costs with respect to each major 
     Reclamation project described in subparagraph (A), including, 
     as applicable, through--
       (i) reduced groundwater pumping;
       (ii) improved reservoir operations;

[[Page S2832]]

       (iii) infrastructure rehabilitation;
       (iv) water reuse; and
       (v) the integration of renewable energy generation with 
     project operations.
       (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 18 months after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 
     the appropriate committees of Congress a report that contains 
     a description of the results of the study conducted under 
     this section.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as are 
     necessary to carry out this section, to remain available 
     until expended.

     SEC. 5. BRACKISH GROUNDWATER NATIONAL DESALINATION RESEARCH 
                   FACILITY.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Facility.--The term ``facility'' means the Brackish 
     Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility, located 
     in Otero County, New Mexico.
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (b) Duty of Secretary.--The Secretary shall operate, 
     manage, and maintain the facility to carry out research, 
     development, and demonstration activities to develop 
     technologies and methods that promote brackish groundwater 
     desalination as a viable method to increase water supply in a 
     cost-effective manner.
       (c) Objectives; Activities.--
       (1) Objectives.--The Secretary shall operate and manage the 
     facility as a state-of-the-art desalination research center--
       (A) to develop new water and energy technologies with 
     widespread applicability; and
       (B) to create new supplies of usable water for municipal, 
     agricultural, industrial, or environmental purposes.
       (2) Activities.--In operating, managing, and maintaining 
     the facility under subsection (b), the Secretary shall carry 
     out--
       (A) as a priority, the development of renewable energy 
     technologies for integration with desalination technologies--
       (i) to reduce the capital and operational costs of 
     desalination;
       (ii) to minimize the environmental impacts of desalination; 
     and
       (iii) to increase public acceptance of desalination as a 
     viable water supply process;
       (B) research regarding various desalination processes, 
     including improvements in reverse and forward osmosis 
     technologies;
       (C) the development of innovative methods and technologies 
     to reduce the volume and cost of desalination concentrated 
     wastes in an environmentally sound manner;
       (D) an outreach program to create partnerships with States, 
     academic institutions, private entities, and other 
     appropriate organizations to conduct research, development, 
     and demonstration activities, including the establishment of 
     rental and other charges to provide revenue to help offset 
     the costs of operating and maintaining the facility; and
       (E) an outreach program to educate the public on--
       (i) desalination and renewable energy technologies; and
       (ii) the benefits of using water in an efficient manner.
       (d) Authority of Secretary.--The Secretary may enter into 
     contracts or other agreements with, or make grants to, 
     appropriate entities to carry out this section, including an 
     agreement with an academic institution to manage research 
     activities at the facility.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out 
     this section, to remain available until expended.

     SEC. 6. ENHANCED INFORMATION ON WATER-RELATED ENERGY 
                   CONSUMPTION.

       Section 205 of the Department of Energy Organization Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 7135) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(n) Water-Related Energy Consumption.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not less than once during each 3-year 
     period, to aid in the understanding and reduction of the 
     quantity of energy consumed in association with the use of 
     water, the Administrator shall conduct an assessment under 
     which the Administrator shall collect information on energy 
     consumption in various sectors of the economy that are 
     associated with the acquisition, treatment, or delivery of 
     water.
       ``(2) Required sectors.--An assessment described in 
     paragraph (1) shall contain an analysis of water-related 
     energy consumption for all relevant sectors of the economy, 
     including water used for--
       ``(A) agricultural purposes;
       ``(B) municipal purposes;
       ``(C) industrial purposes; and
       ``(D) domestic purposes.
       ``(3) Effect.--Nothing in this subsection affects the 
     authority of the Administrator to collect data under section 
     52 of the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974 (15 
     U.S.C. 790a).''.

     SEC. 7. ENERGY-WATER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ROADMAP.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a document 
     to be known as the ``Energy-Water Research and Development 
     Roadmap'' to define the future research, development, 
     demonstration, and commercialization efforts that are 
     required to address emerging water-related challenges to 
     future, cost-effective, reliable, and sustainable energy 
     generation and production.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     appropriate committees of Congress a report describing the 
     document described in subsection (a), including 
     recommendations for any future action with respect to the 
     document.
                                 ______