2014-07-14

In a stunning move on July 10, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment on a voice vote to the 2015 Energy and Water Appropriations Act (H.R. 4923) which would prohibit any federal spending for replacement of efficient toilets.  House Amendment #1046 was sponsored by Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona (See his press release here).  The bill then passed the House and is now on its way to the U.S. Senate.

The impacts of this amendment will be far reaching.  It will prevent the use of any federal funding from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or even the U.S. Department of Energy to finance toilet retrofit programs that clearly save both water and energy.

The Alliance for Water Efficiency is moving to ensure that the U.S. Senate has the information it needs to correctly assess the value of these important investments to an increasingly water short country.  An opposition letter is being compiled,if you wish for your organization to sign on to this letter, please contact Jeffrey Hughes.