# Senate Advances Desalination Funding Bill

On September 30, 2026, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources advanced the bipartisan Desalination Reauthorization Act. The proposed legislation would extend Bureau of Reclamation grant support for desalination projects, authorize up to a 25% federal cost-share, and increase the maximum research grant for higher-education institutions from $1 million to $2.5 million, including support for advanced technology pilots. The bill has not become law, so these are prospective funding opportunities rather than currently available awards.

- Project developers and public-private partnerships can assess potential desalination projects against the proposed Reclamation grant and cost-share provisions; the bill would also prevent Reclamation from administratively capping each project’s funding.
- Universities and technology developers may benefit if the proposed increase in research grant limits and support for pilots become law, including pilots intended to bridge laboratory concepts and commercially viable projects.
- Companies should treat the provisions as contingent and, as the source indicates, follow the bill’s progress toward a full Senate vote and subsequent program implementation.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities, Environment
**Topics:** Grants & Funding, Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** October 01, 2026

### Government Entities
- Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
- Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation)
- Las Virgenes Water District

### Vendors
- OceanWell (Desalination technology developer participating in a pilot)

### Key Quotes
> The bill will help strengthen investments into desalination research and development so that every American can access safe, clean water. This is a critical step in addressing California’s water crisis and building new pathways for water security across the country.
> — Alex Padilla, U.S. Senator

### Sources
- [Senate Committee Advances Bipartisan Padilla Bill to Support Desalination and Safe Drinking Water - Senator Alex Padilla](https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-committee-advances-bipartisan-padilla-bill-to-support-desalination-and-safe-drinking-water/) - Padilla Senate