My testimony today will make four main points:
1. Energy and water are interrelated,
2. The energy-water relationship is already under strain,
3. Trends imply these strains will be exacerbated, and
4. There are different policy actions that can help.
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Though quite a lengthy read, this very in-depth transcript provides a ton of information on the energy-water connection. The speaker is an expert in his field. His testimony is focused, well organized, and relevant, making it easy for the reader to understand the "big picture" about a complicated and crucial topic.
While the energy-water relationship is already under strain today, trends imply that the strain will be exacerbated unless we take appropriate action. There are four key pieces to this overall trend: 1. Population growth, which drives up total demand for energy and water, 2. Economic growth, which can drive up per capita demand for both energy and water, 3. Climate change, which intensifies the hydrological cycle, and 4. Policy choices, whereby we are choosing to move towards more energy-intensive water and more water-intensive energy.
To put this water consumption into context, each year the United States consumes about 36 trillion gallons of water. Consequently, it is possible that water consumption for transportation will more than double from less than 3% of national use to more than 7% of national use. In a time when we are already facing water constraints, it is not clear we have the water to pursue this path. Essentially we are deciding to switch from foreign oil to domestic water for our transportation fuels, and while that might be a good decision for strategic purposes, I advise that we first make sure we have the water.
Eye opening perspective. If properly framed and supported, the “water resources” field could become a booming market.
This testimony’s focus on the energy-water relationship is a completely new way of looking at the energy crisis to me. I think it’s a theme that should be made more public.