The Energy‐Water Nexus: Potential Roles for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

摘要

In a future that is increasingly defined by energy and water stresses, the federal government will be forced to act. But what should the federal role be, and what roles should individual federal agencies play? How can or should federal agencies support state, private, and local initiatives, and where does the federal government have the mandate and responsibility to lead? Research, national standards and regulations, and incentive systems have established federal activities that are all vital and appropriate roles to address these stresses. Because the nexus between energy and water cuts across so many areas, multiple federal agencies will be involved. One of these agencies will undoubtedly be the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps). In preparation for this call to action, below we review the current civil works mission of the Corps, give our perspective of what a Federal energy-water initiative might be, and propose roles of the Corps in implementing such an initiative.