House to vote on water-power nexus bill

The House is slated to vote this week on legislation that requires Energy Department research programs to advance technologies that minimize water use in energy production.

Power plants use large amounts of water for cooling.

The bill, H.R. 3598, also requires that DOE research consider how climate change will affect water supplies used for energy generation and fuels production.

The plan, sponsored by House Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.), authorizes $60 million annually between fiscal years 2011 and 2015 for the research.

Another bill on the floor this week, H.R. 3029, requires new DOE research into improving the efficiency of gas turbines used in power generation. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.).

Both measures will be brought up under suspension of the rules, which means that a two-thirds vote of members present is required and no amendments are allowed. Suspension votes are typically used for non-controversial items. The votes are slated for Tuesday evening.