The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (“NACWA”) sent a January 27th letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the United States Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources expressing support for Sections 4101 and 4102 in Senate Bill 2012.
Senate Bill 2012 is titled The Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 (“Act”).
By way of introduction, NACWA notes that:
… water utilities are increasingly implementing innovative technologies to reduce their energy costs, generate electricity, reduce waste, and lower the environmental impact of their facilities. These legislative provisions are important to support and advance such innovations as part of the energy-water nexus.
Section 4101 is characterized as helping to improve coordination of the federal government’s efforts related to energy/water issues. It cites as beneficial the proposed creation of the Interagency Coordination Committee which would provide a “repository of knowledge that wastewater utilities can utilize when implementing innovative water-energy projects.”
Section 4102 is described as creating a pilot program to provide grants to eligible entities to demonstrate “unique, advance, or innovative technology-based solutions.” The organization characterizes the program as a “great opportunity to advance the innovative work of clean water agencies.” 4102 is characterized as aligning:
… with the Water Resources Utility of the Future (UOTF) initiative being embraced across the water and wastewater sectors as utilities move beyond providing basic services and engage in efforts like resource recovery and energy generation to cut costs, improve environmental performance, and better serve their customers.
Click here to download a copy of the letter.
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