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| Wilson Works to Encourage Water Desalination |
April 21, 2004 |
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Davis-Wilson Bill Takes Steps to Boost Water Supply
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Heather Wilson, R-NM, today joined colleagues in a news conference at the U.S. Capitol to announce bipartisan legislation to boost water supplies and investment in desalination efforts across the nation.
Wilson is the lead co-sponsor of the Davis-Wilson Bill, along with sponsor Rep. Jim Davis, D-Florida, to encourage development of desalination efforts for brackish water and seawater. Rep. Richard Pombo, R-California, Chairman of the House Resources Committee is also an original cosponsor.
The bill (H.R. 3834) would establish competitive energy assistance for desalination efforts through the U.S. Department of Energy. The legislation would authorize $200 million over five years through the DOE’s Renewable Energy Program.
“We’re a nation that has been blessed with tremendous natural resources, and none more precious than water,” Wilson said. “By acting now to encourage investment in these promising efforts, we can help ensure our water supply will be here for years to come.”
“With proper planning, the country can avoid a serious water supply crisis,” she continued. “Supporting desalination is a way in which the federal government can help while leaving control of local water where it belongs, with the states.”
Regions of the U.S. that are seeing population growth are faced with the fact that significant new water supply sources are limited. Development of desalination facilities would increase the water supply and create jobs. The legislation encourages cleaning brackish water sources in inland regions, such as New Mexico, as well as seawater in coastal areas.
Currently, there are two desalination facilities in New Mexico. The State Water Plan already envisions using brackish water from the Tularosa Basin as soon as 2020.
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