A significant stride in renewable energy and water conservation is being made with projects funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.
The Department of the Interior has unleashed an ambitious plan backed by President Biden’s vision to fortify America’s infrastructure. A $19 million grant is powering the installation of innovative solar panels atop irrigation canals in the states of California, Oregon, and Utah. This pioneering move aims to combat the evaporation of vital water resources while propelling the nation toward achieving its renewable energy targets.
Dual-Purpose Initiative: Energy and Water Efficiency
During a recent event at the Delta-Mendota Canal floating solar initiative, Michael Brain, the Interior Department’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, alongside Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton, revealed the financial commitment. This marks a monumental step in actualizing ideas that foster clean energy and equip communities to better withstand drought and the adverse effects of climate change.
Commissioner Touton emphasized the collaborative essence required to fulfill Reclamation’s mission. The fusion of water conservation and renewable energy production is not only a novel concept; through these projects, it’s a strategy that will be explored thoroughly to grasp its broader implications and advantages. Furthermore, the fruits of these ventures are slated to be disseminated publicly, ensuring that the learned best practices and benefits can be leveraged on a much grander scale.
This is not just about harnessing solar power; it’s about a host of interconnected gains:
- Renewable energy production escalation
- Evaporation curtailment in irrigation channels
- Boosted solar panel efficiency through the cooling effects of water
- Conservation of land for greenspaces and agriculture
- Mitigation of aquatic weed growth, thus reducing maintenance efforts
- Decrease in energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with facility operations
Investment in Climate Resilience and Community Development
The President’s initiative symbolizes the most significant climate resilience investment in American history, offering vital resources for enhancing the resilience of Western communities faced with drought and climate change.
As for the details of the investments:
- In California, a substantial $15 million is allocated to the San Luis and Delta-Mendota Water Authority for research and development of floating solar technologies on the Delta-Mendota Canal.
- Oregon’s North Unit Irrigation District is receiving $2.55 million to investigate water efficiency enhancements and clean energy output from solar panels on their Main Canal.
- Lastly, Weber Basin Water Conservancy District in Utah will benefit from a $1.5 million investment for a solar installation over the Layton Canal, doubling as a live experiment to gauge full-scale viability.
This is accompanied by the earlier announced $5.65 million for the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona to pioneer solar panel deployment over the Casa Blanca Canal.
Additionally, under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Reclamation is investing $8.3 billion over five years into a diverse array of water infrastructure projects. Almost $3 billion has already been committed to 425 projects in the course of two years.
Mirroring President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, this funding seeks to pivot 40% of the benefits from specific federal climate, clean energy, and related initiatives to communities that have historically faced systematic underinvestment and an elevated burden from pollution.
