Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema is hoping a new program negotiated by Sinema and funded by the taxpayers through the Inflation Reduction Act will increase conservation and efficiency within Colorado River Basin.
The newly-created Lower Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program will select projects for funding by Colorado River water delivery contract or entitlement holders that mitigate drought, protect important natural resources, and ensure a reliable source of water and power for communities across Arizona.
“The newly created water conservation program funded through our $4 billion drought resiliency investment we included in the Inflation Reduction Act will support necessary drought mitigation efforts and help strengthen Arizona’s water and economic security. Today’s announcement represents a productive step forward and I’ll continue working to advance long and short-term solutions to secure Arizona’s water future,” said Sinema.
This program has three components, two of which are open for proposal submissions from October 12 to November 21 and require confirmation of water conservation and system benefits.
For the first component, eligible applicants can submit proposals for system conservation resulting in wet water remaining in Lake Mead at a set price of: 1-year agreement of $330 per acre-foot, 2-year agreement of $365 per acre-foot, and 3-year agreement of $400 per acre-foot.
A second component of the program will accept proposals for additional water conservation and efficiency projects that could involve a variety of pricing options. The third component allows for proposals to be submitted in early 2023 for long-term system efficiency improvements that will result in multi-year system conservation.