Water-Energy Testimony: Peter Gleick

Peter Gleick has been talking about the water-energy nexus as long as anybody. As President and co-founder of the Pacific Institute, Dr. Gleick is among the worlds leading experts on water issues. In his testimony to the Senate, Dr. Gleick makes the case for additional research in this field and outlines his recommendations for policies that address the critical link between water and energy.

One section of Gleick's testimony that stuck out to me was a quote he used from the California Air Resources Board describing the potential for water to address multiple problems:

"Water is one of the few sectors in California's economy where the same policies can serve both preventative and adaptive global climate change goals. Making more efficient use of water will reduce our demands on water resources and shrink the energy consumption associated with water conveyance, pumping, heating and treatment. California water policies can therefore help the State to adapt to the effects of climate change while also minimizing GHG emissions."

Water will play a crucial role as we adapt to climate change and reduce our energy consumption. One of the biggest problems people face trying to launch programs that save energy by saving water is that the exact amount of energy that can be saved through water efficiency is poorly understood. Not only does the energy intensity of water vary between water systems but different end-uses of water require variable amounts of energy, making it difficult to quantify the savings that can be attained through a give water strategy. Dr. Gleick addresses this issue and provides the following recommendations to policy makers:

Water and energy are tightly linked, but these links are poorly understood and rarely used in policy.

• Decision makers and corporations should better integrate energy issues into water policy and water issues into energy policy.
• The failure to link these issues will inevitably lead to disruptions in the supply of both water and power.

Water efficiency efforts can save substantial water (and energy) at lower cost, and faster, than new “supply.”

• Water efficiency should be given a higher priority by resource planners.
• Implement water efficiency programs at all levels designed to capture multiple benefits.

The climate implications of both water and energy policy are significant.

• There are large opportunities for fast, cost-effective reductions in emissions.

National policies can help address both water and energy challenges. In particular,

• Phase out irrigation, energy, and crop subsidies that promote wasteful use of water and energy.
• Pursue smart labeling of water efficient appliances that also save energy.
• Pursue new appliance standards.
• Promote research and development for traditional energy sources that reduce water withdrawals and consumption.
• Promote research and development for renewable energy sources that use little to no water.
• Use alternative water sources such as reclaimed or saline water for power plant cooling.
• Encourage biofuels development that uses little water or discourage water-intensive biofuels.

For Peter Gleick's entire testimony on the Energy and Water Integration Act of 2009, click here.