Cornyn, Padilla Introduce Bill to Support Desalination and Safe Drinking Water

Cornyn, Padilla Introduce Bill to Support Desalination and Safe Drinking Water News Cornyn, Padilla Introduce Bill to Support Desalination and Safe Drinking Water Bureau of Reclamation’s Authority to Provide Grants for Desalination Projects Expires This Year August 17, 2026 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced the Desalination Reauthorization Act , which would support desalination efforts by reauthorizing the Bureau of Reclamation’s authority to provide grants for desalination projects and new technology research ahead of its expiration on Dec. 16, 2026: “ As communities throughout Texas continue to face devastating drought conditions, it’s crucial that we make investments in water infrastructure improvements to ensure our state has enough water to meet demands, ” said Sen. Cornyn. “ I’m proud to join Senator Padilla in introducing the Desalination Reauthorization Act, which would authorize desalination grant programs to help construct more ocean and brackish-water desalination facilities to ensure long-term water supply. ” “ Access to safe and clean drinking water is a human right, and investments in desalination programs will help us provide drinking water to millions of Americans in need, ” said Sen. Padilla. “ Our bill will guarantee research and development of new avenues for safe, clean drinking water so that California can adapt to growing environmental pressures. ” Background: The Desalination Reauthorization Act would extend the programmatic approval of the Bureau of Reclamation to fund desalination projects, which is set to expire this year. If this expires, Congress would have to pass another bill to authorize new desalination projects, leading to delays in projects and increased costs. By allowing these projects to run smoothly, the Southwest will be able to fight droughts by reinforcing local supplies, providing flexibility during water shortages, and expanding the water supply. The Desalination Reauthorization Act would: Reauthorize the Bureau of Reclamation’s authority to provide grants for desalination projects, which is on track to expire Dec. 16, 2026; Amend the programmatic approval to extend to public-private partnerships to build desalination projects; Direct that Reclamation cannot administratively impose a maximum funding amount that each desalination project can receive, which would allow large desalination plants to receive the full 25% federal cost-share; And amend the desalination and water purification research program to advance pilot projects, which cover the gap in developing new technologies known as the “Valley of Death” between small-scale pilots that test a laboratory concept and commercially viable projects.