BERKLEY WINS HOUSE APPROVAL FOR $4 MILLION IN VALLEY PROJECTS

Funding for Las Vegas Wash Restoration, North Las Vegas Water Reclamation Facility, Agassi Prep Solar Power System 

(July 17, 2009 -- Washington, D.C.)  Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (NV) today secured House approval for more than $4 million in Nevada priorities included in the 2010 Energy and Water funding bill.  The legislation was approved on a vote of 320 to 97.  Included in the package are projects to enhance the Las Vegas Wash and protect water quality at Lake Mead, and for a water reclamation facility now under construction in North Las Vegas.      

“Lake Mead is the main source of the Valley’s drinking water supplies and we need to take steps to protect water quality.  This includes projects to help minimize the impact of storm water, treated wastewater and runoff from lawns, landscaping and Valley streets,” said Berkley.  “The funding included in this bill will help address erosion, habitat loss and overall threats to Lake Mead’s water quality by improving conditions along the Las Vegas Wash.  Long term management plans call for stabilizing the Wash, establishing wetlands in order to increase wildlife habitat and taking steps to help maintain water quality.  The projects funded in this bill will help us to meet all three of these critical goals,” Berkley said. 

The bill funds ongoing work to build a wastewater reclamation facility in North Las Vegas.      

“Reclaiming wastewater is one more way we can maximize the Valley’s limited water resources.  Funding in this bill will help cover construction costs for this North Las Vegas facility, which will reclaim up to 25 million gallons per day in wastewater.  Recapturing these gallons will provide an alternative to using potable water at our local parks and golf courses and for large industrial uses like laundry facilities or making concrete,” said Berkley.

Berkley also secured $500,000 for the Las Vegas based Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy for development of a photovoltaic solar system to help meet the school’s energy demands.  The addition of the advanced regenerative fuel cell system will provide power to the Academy, while also creating a learning environment for students to explore renewable and alternative power sources such as solar, fuel cells and hydrogen.

An additional $750,000 will go to the Desert Research Institute (DRI) for a study on drought.  This project focuses on creating a better understanding of the current and future use of water resources within the State of Nevada.  The effort will utilize a dedicated supercomputer to look at various past, present and future Nevada water resources and to gauge the impacts of current drought conditions.

Berkley FY 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Projects

Lake Mead Water Quality and Las Vegas Wash Enhancements: $2.7 million

North Las Vegas Water Reclamation facility: $100,000

DRI water resources data project: $750,000

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