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Members of Congress: Public-Private Partnerships Critical for Sustainable Water and Energy

September 22, 2011

Recording available at https://www.ustream.tv/recorded/17435501

(Washington, D.C.) Today, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano and the WateReuse Association hosted “The Future of Alternative Energy & Water Supplies – Public, Private Partnerships,” a roundtable discussion including Reps. George Miller and Joe Baca, representatives from the Department of Energy, Department of the Interior, and the White House, and several major public and private water providers. The participants discussed the future of alternative energy and water supply policy, and how businesses, government, and local communities could work together to meet the water and energy challenges of the 21st century.

“Demand for potable water and affordable power is growing, and we all must work together to meet that demand,” said Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA). “We must continue to examine the nexus between water and energy, and explore how industry and government can work together to provide the reliable sources of water and power America needs for strong economic growth.”

“When you look at states like California, you see that there is a demand for new ideas and new investments when it comes to clean water sources,” added Rep. George Miller (D-CA). “We’ve got to keep water recycling infrastructure and other water-saving innovations at the forefront of our policy agenda – these are the projects that create jobs, increase the water supply and drive the use of innovative technologies. Sincere thanks to WateReuse and Rep. Napolitano for leading today’s briefing.”

“I thank Rep. Napolitano for her leadership on the critical issues of water conservation and alternative energy research,” said Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA). “Today’s discussion was an excellent opportunity to explore ways the public and private sector can work together to ensure America is the world’s leader on the renewable energy innovation needed for the future.”

Energy production has demanded a greater share of our limited water supply in recent years. Demand from the energy sector is expected to make up 85% of the growth in domestic water consumption between 2005 and 2030, adding another strain on our water supply in addition to a growing population and drought cycles made worse by climate change.

Participants in the roundtable also included:

Lauren Azar, Senior Advisor, Department of Energy

Kara Finkler, Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation, Dept. of Interior

Jay Jensen, Assistant Director of Land and Water Resources, Council on Environmental Quality, White House

Wade Miller, WateReuse Association

Daniel McCarthy, CEO, Black and Veatch Water

Jon Freedman, VP General Electric Water

Robb Whitaker, General Manager, Water Replenishment District

Brian Good, Denver Water

Richard Nagel, West Basin Municipal Water District

Steven Sarnecki, VP Federal & Public Sector, OSIsoft, Microsoft

Gretchen McClain, President, ITT Fluids

Joe Rozza, Global Water Resource Sustainability, Coca-Cola

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Issues:EnergyWater