National Experts to Chart Course toward Sustainable Water and Energy Policy for the 21st Century

This September, the Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will host the first Water/Energy Sustainability Symposium to address challenges in meeting future water and energy needs. Environmental Defense Fund will serve as a sustainability partner. This innovative Symposium will bring together leaders from government, energy and water industries, academia, water organizations, and other stakeholders, to chart a collaborative course toward sustainability for both resources.

Large, predictable quantities of water are needed to produce our nation’s energy. The treatment and distribution of water relies on easily accessible, affordable energy. As experts in both fields search for ways to meet future demand for both of these resources, the interdependence of water and energy is clear - and the need for collaboration critical.

The Water/Energy Symposium, held in conjunction with the GWPC’s 2009 Annual Forum, will take place on September 13-16, 2009 at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center. Registration is currently open. To access the full agenda and registration information, visit http://www.gwpc.org/meetings/forum/forum.htm.

With the goal of informing policy makers at both the state and national level, the two and a half day event will feature more than 60 of the nation’s top experts from the public and private sectors. Hot topics including energy impacts on water use and water impacts on energy development; water and power generation; water needs for unconventional oil and gas, wind, solar, hydro and nuclear energy production; sustainable infrastructure and end-use efficiency; and integrated water-energy planning will be covered.

The Symposium is co-sponsored by the GWPC and DOE in collaboration with; National Ground Water Association, Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, National Rural Water Association, Petroleum Technology Transfer Council, National Oil Shale Association, Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission, Western States Water Council, Alliance for Water Efficiency, Water Research Foundation, Water Environment Research Foundation, Geological Society of America, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, Women’s Council on Energy and the Environment, Environmental Defense Fund, Western Governors’ Association, Groundwater Foundation, Water Research Foundaiton, and others.