Water/Energy Nexus Colloquy at House Committee Markup

The House Energy and Commerce Committee marked up legislation known as the HomeStar bill on April 15.  The HomeStar bill offers rebates to homeowners for the purchase and installation of EnergyStar labeled products including insulation and water heaters.  ACWA, along with other members of the “water coalition” including the Alliance for Water Efficiency, American Rivers, Irrigation Association, Lowes, Kohler, and Moen, is working to add rebates for WaterSense products to the bill. 

During the markup, Representative Jerry McNerney (D-11) and Chairman Henry Waxman (D-30) held a colloquy on the water/energy nexus in California and the importance of also providing incentives for water efficient products.  Congressman McNerney quoted from the 2005 California Energy Commission study showing that 19% of California’s electricity consumption and 30% of the State’s natural gas consumption is for water related purposes.

 “Providing consumers incentives to buy water efficient products has significant potential to create jobs and save families on their utility bills,” McNerney said.  He then asked Chairman Waxman for his commitment “to advance legislation to provide consumers clear easy to access opportunities to purchase water efficient products.”

Chairman Waxman responded by saying, “increasing use of water efficient products provides benefits similar to the ones realized by improving energy efficiency.  I look forward to working with you on this issue, I think it is an important one, and you have my commitment to continue to pursue it.”

ACWA and other “water coalition” members will continue to work with both Congressmen’s offices and the rest of the California delegation to pursue this opportunity.