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US HR291

US HR291
W21 Water in the 21st Century Act


summary

Introduced
01/13/2015
In Committee
03/02/2015
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/03/2017

Introduced Session

114th Congress

Bill Summary

W21 Water in the 21st Century Act This bill establishes within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a WaterSense program to identify, label, and promote water efficient products, buildings, landscapes, facilities, processes, and services. This bill establishes a program to provide financial incentives for consumers to purchase and install products, buildings, landscapes, facilities, processes, and services labeled under the WaterSense program. The EPA is required to make grants to owners or operators of water systems to address any ongoing or forecasted impact of climate change on a region's water quality or quantity. The Department of the Interior may: (1) provide financial assistance to water projects in specified states, including projects for water recycling, water infrastructure, enhanced energy efficiency, desalination, and water storage and conveyance; and (2) transfer to nonfederal entities title to any reclamation projects or facility in need of rehabilitation that are authorized before enactment of this Act. The U.S. Geological Survey must establish an open water data system to advance the availability, timely distribution, and widespread use of water data and information for water management, education, research, assessment, and monitoring purposes. This bill reauthorizes through FY2020 the Water Desalination Act of 1996 and water resources research and technology institutes under the Water Resources Research Act of 1984. After receiving a request from a nonfederal sponsor, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must review the operation of a reservoir and, if appropriate, update the water control manual to incorporate improved weather and runoff forecasting methods. The EPA is required to develop voluntary national drought resilience guidelines relating to preparedness planning and investments for water users and providers. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must prepare a salmon drought plan for California.

AI Summary

This bill, the W21 Water in the 21st Century Act, aims to improve water management and conservation across the United States by establishing several key programs and initiatives. It creates a WaterSense program within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to identify and promote water-efficient products, buildings, landscapes, and services, and provides financial incentives for consumers to purchase these labeled items. The bill also directs the EPA to offer grants to water system owners and operators to help them address the impacts of climate change on water quality and quantity, and allows the Department of the Interior to provide financial aid for various water projects, including recycling, infrastructure, desalination, and storage, while also permitting the transfer of certain reclamation projects to non-federal entities. Furthermore, it mandates the U.S. Geological Survey to develop an open water data system for better access and use of water information, reauthorizes the Water Desalination Act of 1996 and water resources research institutes, requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to review and update reservoir operations with improved forecasting methods, and directs the EPA to create national drought resilience guidelines and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop a salmon drought plan for California.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (32)

Last Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans. (on 03/02/2015)

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