Arthur Langhus Layne, LLC will create an internet-based, geographic information system (GIS) catalog of non-traditional sources of cooling water for coal-fired power plants. The project will develop data to identify the availability of oil and gas produced water, abandoned coal mine water, industrial waste water, and low-quality ground water. By pairing non-traditional water sources to power plant water needs, the research will allow power plants that are affected by water shortages to continue to operate at full-capacity without adversely affecting local communities or the environment.

The nationwide catalog will identify the location, water withdrawal, and consumption demands for existing and planned coal-fired power plants in the lower 48 states. The inventory will also identify the location, volume, and quality of the various alternate water sources near those plants, ensuring that operators are aware of their options and allowing them to assess the costs of accessing these waters to supplement or replace their current supply on a short- or long-term basis.