Desalination Reauthorization Act

The Desalination Reauthorization Act aims to strengthen and extend federal support for water desalination initiatives. It amends the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act to reauthorize certain desalination programs, extending their duration for up to 15 years. Furthermore, the bill revises the definition of an eligible desalination project under the Water Desalination Act of 1996, clarifying that projects can be located in or primarily benefit entities within a Reclamation State. These projects must involve ocean or brackish water desalination facilities operated by various public entities or sponsored by state and local governments, providing a federal benefit. The Secretary's participation in these projects is capped at 25 percent of the total cost, with no dollar limitation imposed. A significant new provision establishes an Advanced Pilot Technology Grants program. This competitive grant program, administered by the Secretary, will fund the development and operation of advanced pilot desalination technologies and first-of-a-kind systems. The goal is to validate the effective performance of innovations for converting various water sources into usable water and for cost-effectively treating or disposing of brine discharges. Grant recipients must include rigorous technoeconomic analyses to estimate the full-scale levelized cost of water production. The bill also updates cost-sharing provisions to include these advanced pilot projects.