Congresswoman Heather Wilson, First Congressional District of New Mexico
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| Wilson Works to Increase Water Supply |
February 26, 2004 |
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Lawmaker Is Lead Cosponsor for Desalination Assistance for New Mexico
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Heather Wilson, R-NM, announced that bipartisan legislation was introduced today to boost the water supply for New Mexico. Wilson is the lead co-sponsor of the Davis-Wilson Bill, along with Rep. Jim Davis, D-Florida, to encourage development of desalination efforts for brackish water.
Regions of the U.S. are facing growing populations without significant new water supply sources. Development of desalination facilities will increase the water supply and create jobs.
The legislation also applies to efforts to clean sea water in other parts of the nation. The Desalination Energy Assistance Act of 2004 will increase the viability of projects now in planning phase through energy assistance grants of 62 cents per thousand gallons of treated water.
“By acting now, we can help ensure our drinking supply will be here in the future,” Wilson said. “A dependable water supply is essential to economic growth and development. With proper planning, the country can avoid a water supply crisis we can’t afford.”
Currently, there are two desalination facilities in New Mexico. The State Water Plan already envisions importing water from the Tularosa Basin as soon as 2020. Costs at Tularosa are $1.50 to $2 per 1,000 gallons produced. If qualifications are met, this bill could offset those production costs by one-fourth to one-third of the amount. The facility is expected to begin producing this year and be fully on line sometime in 2005. |
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