In the West, Climate and Energy Policy Is Water Policy
As the West continues to struggle with a decade-long drought, declining river flows have left major storage reservoirs--like Powell and Mead--only 55% full. Whether these important storage vessels will ever be full again is in question as scientists are concluding that the extended droughts of the past may become the norm of the future. So what should we do about this bleak situation?
If we are serious about avoiding the biggest looming crisis of meeting the water needs of the West, we have to understand the energy-water connection and advance clean energy solutions.
A well-designed national climate and clean energy policy is vital to safeguarding the West's water resources--the lifeline of the West's economy and environment. The U.S. Senate must take action to curb carbon pollution. That's a critical step to ensure westerners continue to have clean, safe, reliable water supplies for the future.
