[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 23, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H7177-H7179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           ENERGY AND WATER RESEARCH INTEGRATION ACT OF 2019

  Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 34) to ensure consideration of water intensity in 
the Department of Energy's energy research, development, and 
demonstration programs to help guarantee efficient, reliable, and 
sustainable delivery of energy and clean water resources, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 34

       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 Research 
     Integration Act of 2019''.

     SEC. 2. INTEGRATING ENERGY AND WATER RESEARCH.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy shall integrate 
     water considerations into energy research, development, and 
     demonstration programs and projects of the Department of 
     Energy by--
       (1) advancing energy and energy efficiency technologies and 
     practices that meet the objectives of--
       (A) minimizing freshwater withdrawal and consumption;
       (B) increasing water use efficiency;
       (C) utilizing nontraditional water sources with efforts to 
     improve the quality of the water from those sources;
       (D) minimizing deleterious impacts on water bodies, 
     groundwater, and waterways; and
       (E) minimizing seismic impacts;
       (2) considering the effects climate variability may have on 
     water supplies and quality for energy generation and fuel 
     production; and
       (3) improving understanding of the energy-water nexus.
       (b) Strategic Plan.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 12 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a 
     strategic plan identifying the research, development, and 
     demonstration needs for Department programs and projects to 
     carry out subsection (a). The strategic plan shall include 
     technical milestones for achieving and assessing progress 
     toward the objectives of subsection (a)(1).
       (2) Specific considerations.--In developing the strategic 
     plan, the Secretary shall consider--
       (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 
     technologies in energy generation and fuel production, 
     including renewable energy;
       (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-water nexus;
       (G) technologies to treat and utilize wastewater and 
     produced waters discharged from oil, natural gas, coalbed 
     methane, and any other substance to be used as an energy 
     source;
       (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) energy efficient technologies for water distribution, 
     treatment, supply, and collection systems;
       (L) technologies for energy generation from water 
     distribution, treatment, supply, and collection systems;
       (M) the flexible operation of water infrastructure to 
     provide essential grid reliability services;
       (N) modular or energy-water microgrid systems that can 
     provide energy and water resources in remote or disaster 
     recovery areas;
       (O) recovering energy in the form of biofuels, bioproducts, 
     and biopower from municipal and industrial wastewaters, and 
     similar organic streams; and
       (P) any other area of the energy-water nexus that the 
     Secretary considers appropriate.
       (3) Collaboration and nonduplication.--In developing the 
     strategic plan, the Secretary shall coordinate and avoid 
     duplication--
       (A) with other Federal agencies operating related programs, 
     if appropriate; and
       (B) across programs and projects of the Department, 
     including with those of the National Laboratories.

[[Page H7178]]

       (4) Relevant information and recommendations.--In 
     developing the strategic plan, 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)).
       (5) Additional participation.--In developing the strategic 
     plan, the Secretary shall consult and coordinate with a 
     diverse group of representatives from research and academic 
     institutions, industry, public utility commissions, and State 
     and local governments who have expertise in technologies and 
     practices relating to the energy-water nexus.
       (6) Submission to congress.--Not later than 12 months after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
     to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and 
     Natural Resources of the Senate the strategic plan.
       (7) Updating the strategic plan.--Not later than 3 years 
     after the date of enactment of this Act, and at least once 
     every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary shall--
       (A) utilize relevant information produced by Federal 
     Government agencies, academia, State, local, and tribal 
     governments and industry to update the strategic plan;
       (B) include in the updated strategic plan a description of 
     the changes from the previous strategic plan and the 
     rationale for such changes;
       (C) include a review of progress made towards the 
     milestones outlined in the previous strategic plan; and
       (D) submit the updated strategic plan to the Committee on 
     Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the Senate.
       (c) Additional Activities.--The Secretary may provide for 
     such additional research, development, and demonstration 
     activities as appropriate to integrate water considerations 
     into the research, development, and demonstration activities 
     of the Department as described in subsection (a).

     SEC. 3. ENERGY-WATER OVERSIGHT AND COORDINATION.

       (a) In General.--In carrying out the research, development, 
     and demonstration activities outlined in section 2, the 
     Secretary, in coordination with other relevant Federal 
     agencies, shall establish an Energy-Water Committee to 
     promote and enable improved energy and water resource data 
     collection, reporting, and technological innovation. The 
     Committee shall consist of--
       (1) representation from each program within the Department 
     and each Federal agency that conducts research related to the 
     energy-water nexus; and
       (2) non-Federal members, including representatives of 
     research and academic institutions, State, local, and tribal 
     governments, public utility commissions, and industry, who 
     have expertise in technologies, technological innovations, or 
     practices relating to the energy-water nexus.
       (b) Functions.--The Committee shall, in carrying out 
     section 2--
       (1) make recommendations on the development and integration 
     of data collection and data communication standards and 
     protocols, including models and modeling results, to agencies 
     and entities currently engaged in collecting the data for the 
     energy-water nexus;
       (2) recommend ways to make improvements to Federal water 
     use data to increase understanding of trends in energy 
     generation and fuel production, including non-cooling water 
     uses;
       (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 
     1 regional workshop annually, to facilitate information 
     exchange among Federal, regional, State, local, and tribal 
     governments 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 Committee, through the Secretary, shall 
     transmit to Congress a report on its findings and activities 
     under this section.
       (d) Applicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act.--
     Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Federal 
     Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall apply to the 
     Committee.

     SEC. 4. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

       Notwithstanding any other provision of law, nothing in this 
     Act shall be construed to require State, tribal, or local 
     governments to provide additional data for Federal purposes, 
     or to take any action that may result in an increased 
     financial burden to such governments by restricting the use 
     of water by such governments.

     SEC. 5. COORDINATION AND NONDUPLICATION.

       To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall 
     coordinate activities under this Act with other programs of 
     the Department and other Federal research programs.

     SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Committee.--The term ``Committee'' means the Energy-
     Water Committee established under section 3(a).
       (2) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
     Department of Energy.
       (3) Energy-water nexus.--The term ``energy-water nexus'' 
     means the energy required to provide reliable water supplies 
     and the water required to provide reliable energy supplies 
     throughout the United States.
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Energy.

     SEC. 7. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such 
     statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Johnson) and the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous material on H.R. 34, the bill now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 34, the Energy and Water 
Research Integration Act of 2019.
  I first thank my friend, Mr. Lucas, who joined me in introducing this 
legislation, which calls attention to the critical link between energy 
and water and instructs the Department of Energy to ensure due 
consideration of water issues in its research, development, and 
demonstration programs.
  As we all know, especially those of us who represent Texas, Oklahoma, 
and other southwestern and western States, we have limited water 
resources that must be distributed appropriately to our large energy 
industries, agricultural communities, and rapidly growing populations. 
We have experienced crippling droughts in recent years, so it is vital 
that we do as much as possible to use this commodity wisely.
  However, not many people are aware of the importance of water to 
energy generation and, similarly, the crucial role that energy plays in 
delivery of safe, sanitary water to our constituents.
  The Energy and Water Research Integration Act encourages research 
into energy technologies that would improve and minimize the use of 
water and energy production, and also establishes a mechanism for 
Federal agencies to work with State and local governments and other 
stakeholders to advance our understanding of what is known as the 
``energy-water nexus.'' In addition, the bill requires a regularly 
updated strategic plan to guide these efforts. These are important, 
positive steps towards using our limited resources in the most 
efficient and effective way possible.
  I am pleased that these issues have already received serious 
attention so far this Congress, with the committee hosting a hearing on 
this bill in March and two markups, one at the subcommittee level and 
one before the full committee. Our hearing witnesses and other crucial 
stakeholders, including the Department of Energy, were able to 
contribute and shape the legislation to the well-vetted proposal that 
we are finally considering today. I hope that we can demonstrate a 
strong, sustained commitment to research and development in this vital 
area.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bipartisan bill, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to cosponsor H.R. 34, the Energy and Water 
Research Integration Act. This legislation is a product of bipartisan 
Science, Space, and Technology Committee efforts to improve our 
understanding of the critical relationship between the U.S. energy and 
water sectors.
  The production of energy is dependent on reliable sources of water, 
and the distribution of clean water is dependent on the availability of 
energy. No matter what the future U.S. energy market looks like, 
integrating these

[[Page H7179]]

two systems is essential. But this is no simple task.
  Both water and energy management are often impacted by many regional 
challenges and resources and require careful consideration of local 
factors. For example, back home in Oklahoma, agriculture is the single 
largest driver of water consumption in the State. But that same 
agricultural industry also creates a source of energy through biofuels.
  Additionally, natural gas production, which is key to the development 
of a cleaner U.S. energy market, relies on horizontal drilling and 
hydraulic fracturing, processes which require large volumes of water. 
But these processes can also produce water, enabling reuse of this 
resource through fluid lifecycle management.
  The Energy and Water Research Integration Act will help prioritize 
research and development on this critical relationship between energy 
and water systems and will help American researchers develop tools and 
technologies to improve our Nation's energy efficiency, environmental 
stability, and economic growth.
  I am pleased to see the work that many Federal agencies, including 
the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, are 
already doing to improve the efficiency of our energy water systems, 
and to see the administration's clear prioritization of this work, 
including the multiagency Water Security Grand Challenge and the 
recently announced DOE Energy-Water Desalination Hub. But we, in 
Congress, must also do our part.
  Because of the complex relationship between energy and water systems, 
this will require a multidisciplinary approach. At every step of the 
R&D process there is a need to facilitate interactions between 
chemists, engineers, geologists, and legislators, and to encourage 
collaboration between the Federal Government, industry, universities, 
and local stakeholders.
  I believe this legislation, introduced by Chairwoman Johnson and 
myself, can help to streamline and prioritize this work. The programs 
authorized in this legislation will leverage the world-leading, early-
stage research programs and unparalleled facilities at our national 
labs and enable the development of next-generation technologies that 
will improve the efficiency and production in both the energy and water 
sectors.
  I thank my colleagues on the Science, Space, and Technology 
Committee, particularly Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, for 
continuing to prioritize important research and development programs 
that will make America stronger, cleaner, and keep us globally 
competitive. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to work with 
my fellow Science, Space, and Technology Committee colleagues to guide 
this important and bipartisan work.

                              {time}  1515

  H.R. 34 prioritizes critical research to help improve the way we use 
energy and water.
  I again want to thank Chairwoman Johnson for her leadership on this 
bill. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to make sure that all 
members of this committee and staff are thanked for their efforts, and 
I urge support of this bill.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Johnson) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 34, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________