President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda Provides $50 Million for Water and Energy Efficiency Projects
President Biden's Investing in America Agenda Provides $50 Million ... US Department of the Interior
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Date: Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov
WASHINGTON — The Department of the Interior today announced the availability of up to $50 million for water conservation and efficiency projects as part of the President’s Investing in America agenda to enhance the resilience of the West to drought and climate change.
Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will boost the Bureau of Reclamation’s Water and Energy Efficiency Grants Program, which provides funding for projects that result in quantifiable water savings, implement renewable energy components, and support broader resilience and sustainability benefits. These projects conserve and use water more efficiently; increase the production of renewable energy; mitigate conflict risk in areas at a high risk of future water conflict; and accomplish other benefits that contribute to sustainability.
The announcement today was made following the release of the Fifth National Climate Assessment, an annual report assessing the science of climate change, its impacts, and our options for reducing present and future risk. This is part of an overall $100 million the Bureau of Reclamation is announcing this week for water infrastructure upgrades that advance drought resilience in the West.
“In the wake of severe drought conditions throughout the West, the Department is bringing every tool and resource to bear — including significant investments through President Biden’s Investing America agenda — to help build community resilience to drought and climate change for generations to come,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “Through today’s funding announcement, we are working to advance innovative solutions for water conservation and climate resilience.”
“In order to make our communities more drought resilient, we must take actions wherever possible to deliver water more efficiently,” said Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton. “Under the Biden-Harris administration’s Investing in America agenda, we have a unique opportunity to fund these projects to help our water users adapt to meet future needs.”
Drought conditions across the West impact a wide range of communities and sectors, including agriculture, cities, Tribes, the environment, recreation, hydropower producers, and others. Through the WaterSMART program, Reclamation provides financial assistance for projects that seek to conserve and use water more efficiently and accomplish other benefits that contribute to sustainability in the West.
President Biden’s Investing
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
The article discusses the availability of funding for water conservation and efficiency projects to enhance resilience to drought and climate change. This aligns with SDG 6, which focuses on ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. It also connects to SDG 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. Additionally, the article mentions the need to address climate change and its impacts, which relates to SDG 13. Finally, the article mentions the importance of protecting aquatic ecosystems, which falls under SDG 15.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
- Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
- Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
The article highlights the funding for projects that result in quantifiable water savings and implement renewable energy components, which aligns with Target 6.4 and Target 7.2. The focus on enhancing resilience to drought and climate change addresses Target 13.1. The mention of protecting aquatic ecosystems relates to Target 15.1.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 6.4.1: Change in water-use efficiency over time.
- Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.
- Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
- Indicator 15.1.1: Coverage of protected areas in relation to terrestrial areas.
The article mentions the funding for water conservation and efficiency projects, which implies the measurement of changes in water-use efficiency over time (Indicator 6.4.1). The implementation of renewable energy components indicates the need to track the renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption (Indicator 7.2.1). The focus on enhancing resilience to drought and climate change suggests the measurement of the number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters (Indicator 13.1.1). The mention of protecting aquatic ecosystems implies the need to monitor the coverage of protected areas in relation to terrestrial areas (Indicator 15.1.1).
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity. | Indicator 6.4.1: Change in water-use efficiency over time. |
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. | Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services. | Indicator 15.1.1: Coverage of protected areas in relation to terrestrial areas. |
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Source: doi.gov
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