Produced Water Utilization Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-469
Sponsor: Rep. Hall, Ralph M. [R-TX-4]
Introduced: 2009-01-13 in the House
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental technology
Oil and gas
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Technology transfer and commercialization
Water quality
Water resources funding
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: 
Produced Water Utilization Act of 2009 - Defines &quot;produced water&quot; to mean water from an underground source that is brought to the surface as part of the process of exploration for or development of coalbed methane, oil, natural gas, or any other substance to be used as an energy source.
 
Requires the Secretary of Energy, in conjunction with an existing domestic petroleum production program of the Department of Energy (DOE), to conduct a program of research, development, and demonstration of technologies for environmentally sustainable utilization of produced water for agriculture, irrigation, municipal, or industrial uses or other environmentally sustainable purposes. Requires the program to be designed to maximize the utilization of produced water in the United States by increasing its quality and reducing its environmental impacts.
 
Requires that the program address: (1) produced water recovery, including research for desalination and demineralization to reduce total dissolved solids in the produced water; (2) re-injection of produced water into subsurface geological formations to increase energy production; and (3) improving safety and minimizing environmental impacts of such activities.

Requires the Secretary, through the appropriate National Laboratory, to carry out research, development, and demonstration activities that are complementary to and supportive of such program.

action_date: 2009-02-11
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 
Produced Water Utilization Act of 2009 - Defines &quot;produced water&quot; to mean water from an underground source that is brought to the surface as part of the process of exploration for or development of coalbed methane, oil, natural gas, or any other substance to be used as an energy source.
 
Requires the Secretary of Energy, in conjunction with an existing domestic petroleum production program of the Department of Energy (DOE), to conduct a program of research, development, and demonstration of technologies for environmentally sustainable utilization of produced water for agriculture, irrigation, municipal, or industrial uses or other environmentally sustainable purposes. Requires the program to be designed to maximize the utilization of produced water in the United States by increasing its quality and reducing its environmental impacts.
 
Requires that the program address: (1) produced water recovery, including research for desalination and demineralization to reduce total dissolved solids in the produced water; (2) re-injection of produced water into subsurface geological formations to increase energy production; and (3) improving safety and minimizing environmental impacts of such activities.

Requires the Secretary, through the appropriate National Laboratory, to carry out research, development, and demonstration activities that are complementary to and supportive of such program.

Authorizes appropriations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2009-02-11
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2009-02-11
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1193-1194)
action_date: 2009-02-11
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H1193-1194)
action_date: 2009-02-11
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 469.
action_date: 2009-02-11
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1193-1195)
action_date: 2009-02-11
text: Mr. Gordon (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology.
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: Introduced in House