resources, frequently results in bringing to the sur-
face water extracted from underground sources. 
(2) Some of this produced water is used for ir-
rigation or other purposes, but most of it is returned 
to the subsurface. 
(3) Reducing the amount of produced water re-
turned to the subsurface, and increasing the amount 
that is made available for irrigation and other 
uses— 
(A) would augment water supplies; 
(B) could reduce the costs to energy devel-
opers for disposing of such water; and 
(C) in some instances could increase the 
efficiency of energy development activities. 
(4) It is in the national interest to remove or 
reduce obstacles to use of produced water for irriga-
tion or other purposes in ways that will not ad-
versely affect water quality or the environment. 
(c) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to facili-
tate the use of produced water for irrigation and other 
purposes without adversely affecting water quality or the 
environment, and to demonstrate ways to accomplish that 
result. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
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(1) PRODUCED WATER.—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) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘the Secretary’’ 
means the Secretary of the Interior. 
(3) UPPER BASIN STATES.—The term ‘‘Upper 
Basin States’’ means the States of Colorado, New 
Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. 
(4) LOWER BASIN STATES.—The term ‘‘Lower 
Basin States’’ means the States of Arizona, Cali-
fornia, and Nevada. 
SEC. 3. IDENTIFICATION OF PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS. 
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary, acting through the Com-
missioner of Reclamation and the Director of the United 
States Geological Survey, shall conduct a study to iden-
tify— 
(1) the technical, economic, environmental, 
legal, and other obstacles to increasing the extent to 
which produced water can be used for irrigation and 
other purposes without adversely affecting water 
quality or the environment; and 
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(2) the legislative, administrative, and other ac-
tions that could reduce or eliminate such obstacles. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall report 
to the Committee on Resources of the House of Represent-
atives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Re-
sources of the Senate regarding the results of the study 
required by this section. 
SEC. 4. IMPLEMENTATION. 
(a) GRANTS.—Within existing authorities and subject 
to the availability of funds appropriated for the purpose, 
the Secretary shall provide financial assistance for the de-
velopment of facilities to demonstrate the feasibility, effec-
tiveness, 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 without adversely affecting water quality 
or the environment. 
(b) LIMITATIONS.—Assistance under this section— 
(1) shall be provided for— 
(A) at least one project in one of the 
Upper Basin States other than New Mexico; 
(B) at least one project in either New Mex-
ico or one of the Lower Basin States other than 
California; 
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(C) at least one project in California; and 
(D) at least one project in Texas; 
(2) shall not exceed $1,000,000 for any project; 
(3) shall be used to pay not more than 50 per-
cent of the total cost of a project; 
(4) shall not be used for operation or mainte-
nance of any facility; and 
(5) may be in addition to assistance provided by 
the United States pursuant to other provisions of 
law. 
SEC. 5. CONSULTATION, ADVICE, AND COMMENTS. 
In implementing this Act, including preparation of 
the report required by section 3 and the establishment of 
criteria to be used in connection with award of financial 
assistance pursuant to section 4, the Secretary shall— 
(1) consult with the Secretary of Energy, the 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
Agency, and appropriate Governors and local offi-
cials; 
(2) review any relevant information developed 
in connection with research carried out by others, in-
cluding research carried out pursuant to section 999 
of Public Law 109–58, and to the extent the Sec-
retary considers advisable include such information 
in the report required by section 3; 
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(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 re-
sources; and 
(4) solicit comments and suggestions from the 
public. 
SEC. 6. RELATION TO OTHER LAWS. 
Nothing in this Act shall be construed as super-
seding, 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. 
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated— 
(1) $1,000,000 to implement section 3; and 
(2) $5,000,000 to implement section 4. 
Æ 
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