Energy and Environment Subcommittee Markup -- H.R. 3957

Opening Statement By Rep. Nick Lampson

Today the Subcommittee will consider two bills aimed at increasing water supply through research and technology innovation.   Water utilities across the country withdraw roughly 40 billion gallons of water per day for domestic consumption, industrial processing, energy production, and fire protection.  As population and energy use continues to grow, so will the demand for water.  We need to find ways to preserve, reuse, and augment our water supplies. 

First, we will take up H.R. 3957, The Water Use Efficiency and Conservation Research Act introduced by Representative Jim Matheson.  H.R. 3957 establishes a research and development program within the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Research and Development to promote water-use efficiency and conservation.

Through this program, EPA will be able to develop and encourage the adoption of technologies and processes that will achieve greater water-use efficiency thus helping to address the water supply shortages. The program will help spur innovation in the collection, treatment, and reuse of rainwater and grey water -- the waste water from sinks, baths and kitchen appliances.

Next, we will consider H.R. 2339, The Produced Water Utilization Act introduced by my colleague from Texas and our Ranking Member, Mr. Hall.  This bill creates a research, development, and demonstration program to promote the beneficial reuse of water produced in connection with oil and gas extraction.  In the United States, up to 2.3 billion gallons per day of produced water is generated.  Unfortunately, this water is not of sufficient quality to be used to meet our many needs for water.  This legislation will provide innovative treatment technologies that will enable the reuse of this water in an environmentally responsible way.

These two bills are important steps in ensuring adequate water supply across the United States.  I ask my colleagues to support passage of both pieces of legislation by our Subcommittee this morning.