Water Integration Act of 2009

Testimony of Dr. Peter H. Gleick Before the United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

On the Energy and Water Integration Act of 2009

Mr. Chairman, Senators: Thank you for inviting me to offer comments on the critical connections between energy and water in the United States. Water use and energy use are closely linked: Energy production uses and pollutes water; water use requires significant amounts of energy. Moreover, the reality of climate change affects national policies in both areas.

Limits to the availability of both energy and water are beginning to affect the other, and these limits have direct implications for US economic and security interests. Yet energy and water issues are rarely integrated in policy. Considering them together offers substantial economic and environmental benefits and I support the effort to do this in the Energy and Water Integration Act of 2009.