To facilitate the use for irrigation and other purposes of water produced in connection with development of energy resources.

Summary: More Water and More Energy Act of 2006 - Amends the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to direct the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation and the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), to identify and report to Congress on: (1) the technical, economic, environmental, legal, and other obstacles to increasing the extent to which produced water (water from an underground source that is brought to the surface as part of the process of exploration for or development of oil, natural gas, coal-bed methane, or any other substance to be used as an energy source) can be used for irrigation and other purposes; and (2) the legislative, administrative, and other actions that could reduce or eliminate such obstacles.

Authorizes at least one project for the development of facilities to demonstrate the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of processes to increase the extent to which produced water may be recovered and made suitable for such purposes in: (1) the Upper Basin states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming; (2) the Lower Basin states of Arizona and Nevada; and (3) California. Provides that project funds: (1) shall not exceed $1 million for any project; (2) shall not be used to pay more than 50% of the project's cost or for facility operation or maintenance; and (3) shall be in addition to other federal assistance.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) review any relevant information developed in connection with research carried out by others; (2) seek the advice of individuals with relevant professional or academic expertise and of companies or individuals with industrial experience; and (3) solicit comments and suggestions from the public. Authorizes appropriations.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``More Water and More Energy Act of 
2006''.

SEC. 2. PRODUCED WATER.

    The Water Resources Research Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.) 
is amended by adding at the end thereof a new section, as follows:

``SEC. 112. PRODUCED WATER.

    ``(a) Study.--The Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of 
Reclamation and the Director of the United States Geological Survey, 
shall conduct a study to identify--
            ``(1) the technical, economic, environmental (including 
        potential adverse effects on water quality), legal, and other 
        obstacles to increasing the extent to which produced water can 
        be used for irrigation and other purposes; and
            ``(2) the legislative, administrative, and other actions 
        that could reduce or eliminate such obstacles.
    ``(b) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall report to the Committee 
on Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate regarding the results of the 
study required by this section.
    ``(c) Projects Authorized.--
            ``(1) In the implementation of authority available to the 
        Secretary prior to the date of enactment of this section and 
        subject to the availability of funds appropriated for the 
        purpose, the following projects are authorized:
                    ``(A) At least one project in one of the Upper 
                Basin States.
                    ``(B) At least one project in one of the Lower 
                Basin States other than California.
                    ``(C) At least one project in California.
            ``(2) Funds obligated under this subsection--
                    ``(A) shall not exceed $1,000,000 for any project;
                    ``(B) shall be used to pay not more than 50 percent 
                of the total cost of a project;
                    ``(C) shall not be used for operation or 
                maintenance of any facility; and
                    ``(D) may be in addition to assistance provided by 
                the United States pursuant to other provisions of law.
    ``(d) Additional Consultation, Review, Advice, and Comment.--In 
implementing this section, including preparation of the report required 
by subsection (b) and the establishment of criteria to be used in 
connection with award of assistance pursuant to subsection (c), the 
Secretary shall--
            ``(1) consult with the Secretary of Energy, the 
        Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and 
        appropriate Governors and local officials;
            ``(2) review any relevant information developed in 
        connection with research carried out by others, including 
        research carried out pursuant to section 999 of Public Law 109-
        58, and to the extent the Secretary considers advisable include 
        such information in the report required by paragraph (3);
            ``(3) seek the advice of individuals with relevant 
        professional or academic expertise and of companies or 
        individuals with industrial experience, particularly experience 
        related to production of oil, natural gas, or other energy 
        resources, including geothermal resources; and
            ``(4) solicit comments and suggestions from the public.
    ``(e) Relationship to State Laws and Interstate Authorities and 
Compacts.--Nothing in this section shall be construed as superseding, 
modifying, abrogating, or limiting--
            ``(1) the effect of any State law or any interstate 
        authority or compact with regard to any use of water or the 
        regulation of water quantity or quality; or
            ``(2) the applicability or effect of any Federal law or 
        regulation.
    ``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) The term `produced water' means water from an 
        underground source, that is brought to the surface as part of 
        the process of exploration for or development of oil, natural 
        gas, coalbed methane, or any other substance to be used as an 
        energy source.
            ``(2) The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the 
        Interior.
            ``(3) The term `Upper Basin States' means the States of 
        Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
            ``(4) The term `Lower Basin States' means the States of 
        Arizona, California, and Nevada.
            ``(5) The term `project' means the provision of financial 
        assistance for the development of a facility to demonstrate the 
        feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of processes to increase 
        the extent to which produced water may be recovered and made 
        suitable for use for irrigation, municipal or industrial uses, 
        or other purposes.
    ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated--
            ``(1) $1,000,000 to carry out the study required by 
        subsection (a); and
            ``(2) $5,000,000 to carry out the other provisions of this 
        section.''.

            Passed the House of Representatives December 5, 2006.

            Attest:

                                                 KAREN L. HAAS,

                                                                 Clerk.