Water Crisis Framework 

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This specific issue requires more detail. This is my framework to solve the crisis. This obviously extends beyond a 2 year house term. I believe regardless of who is power any given year the plan can be setup in my term, in a way that progress cannot be stopped.

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I am certain other candidates will begin to replicate the ideas I am writing down here. That would be a good thing! It is important to clarify again; I am the only engineer running. Nobody else understand this equipment like I do. Nobody else has the partners to get it done quickly and affordably. If you want to build a mega project out like this in your region, I strongly recommend voting for a builder. 

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Phase 1: Immediate Response (0-3 Months)

Goal: Stabilize supplies amid record lows in Nueces and Rio Grande basins, and kickstart innovation. This phase is largely about planting the seeds for long term urgency, resource allocation and future acceleration

• Declare State of Emergency with Federal Support: Governor activates powers for rationing, aid, and fast permits, targeting RGV and Corpus Christi areas where Nueces reservoirs are below 13% and facing exceptional drought. Seek immediate federal declaration via FEMA and EPA for enhanced aid, distributing mobile desal units to industrial and municipal users in Nueces County under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

  • Cost: $50M from state reserves/FEMA/EPA grants.

  • Stakeholders: Governor's Office, TWDB, local governments in Hidalgo, Nueces, and Cameron Counties; federal: FEMA, EPA.

• Launch Startup Competition for Desalination Tech: $10M prize for Texas teams developing affordable, modular desal tech (e.g., RO, solar-driven ZLD), prioritizing solutions for Nueces brackish and seawater sources amid growing industrial demand. Administer via federal partnerships like DOE's Water Power Technologies Office and ARPA-E for national innovation grants.

  • Cost: $10M from state funds/federal DOE sponsors.

  • Potential Stakeholders: TxEDC, universities, Texas Desal Association; federal: DOE, ARPA-E.

• Engage cloud seeding operations​

  • Study what impact more clouds in the area would have on evaporation ​

  • What ability do we have to create rain directly upstream of the reservoirs and is that worth trying

• Begin renegotiations of water treaties with Mexico and western states. This will be a multi-year effort (that is already ongoing)​

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Phase 2: Short-Term Innovation (3-18 Months)

Goal: Boost water conservation, initial infrastructure deployment, and advance planning for future major facilities.

• Install Modular Solar Evaporators: Deploy 500 low-cost solar units on 10,000 acres of ranch lands, including Nueces Basin areas, for 5-10M gallons/day of fresh water. Use ZLD to precipitate salts, aiding brackish groundwater in drought-hit zones. Tie into federal USDA conservation programs for accelerated rollout. These will likely be temporary land rentals while a reactor solution is developed

  • Cost: $20M from ag grants/USDA.

  • Stakeholders: Ranchers, TWDB, solar firms; federal: USDA.

• Incentivize Native Plant Conversion Across District: Grants/rebates ($2K/acre) for converting 100,000 acres to low-water plants, extending to Nueces County farms to reduce agricultural draw on depleted reservoirs. Expand via federal EQIP and NRCS programs under the Farm Bill.

  • Cost: $100M from TWDB/USDA/EQIP.

  • Stakeholders: Dept. of Ag, USDA-NRCS, farmers; federal: USDA.

• Complete Plans for SMR-Powered Desal Facility: Finalize engineering designs, secure permits, award contracts, and break ground on the coastal plant in Corpus Christi area. Leverage federal DOE funding and NRC approvals for SMRs under the Energy Act of 2020 and BIL.

  • Cost: $200-300M (initial planning/groundbreaking) from bonds/BIL grants/PPPs.

  • Potential Stakeholders: TWDB, DOE, NuScale, utilities, Nueces River Authority; federal: DOE, NRC.

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Phase 3: Medium-Term Infrastructure (1-3 Years)

Goal: Execute major builds and resource utilization, centering on Corpus Christi.

• Setup and Install SMR-Powered Desal Facility: Complete construction, installation, and commissioning of the plant producing 200-300M gallons/day, powered by small modular reactors to offset Nueces shortages. Integrate Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) for no liquid brine, supporting industrial users in Oil and Gas

  • Cost: $800M-1.7B from bonds/BIL grants/PPPs.

  • Stakeholders: TWDB, DOE, NuScale, utilities, Nueces River Authority; federal: DOE, NRC.

• Utilize Solid Salts: Extract lithium/minerals from salts for mining/fertilizers/exports, generating $50-100M/year revenue, with processing sites in Nueces County. Support via federal USGS and DOE mineral recovery initiatives.

  • Cost: Included in facility budget.

  • Potential Stakeholders: Saltworks, Dept. of Ag; federal: USGS, DOE.​

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Phase 4: Long-Term Sustainability (3+ Years)

Goal: Secure water rights across basins.

• Finalize the Rio Grande Accords: Update 1944 Treaty with Mexico and interstate compact with CO/NM/TX for reliable deliveries, penalties, and joint projects. Expand talks to include Nueces Basin stakeholders for integrated basin management, advocating through congressional channels like the State Department and IBWC appropriations.

  • Cost: Diplomatic/admin (minimal new funds, plus federal appropriations).

  • Stakeholders: State Dept., IBWC, Mexican gov't, interstate commissions, Nueces River Authority; federal: State Dept., Congress.​

• Upgrade reactor and add capacity as needed. The beauty of small modular reactors is you can expand them quickly.

• Build out pipeline network to all major reservoirs in the region ​

• Begin conversion of solar water evaporator systems back into ranchlands.

• Tap into new South Texas Solar Fields and Battery systems to plan for next large scale facility at the south end of the district near Brownsville

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Summary

• Water Production: The plan aims to produce 205-310 million gallons per day (MGD) of fresh water—5-10 MGD immediately from solar evaporators and 200-300 MGD from the SMR-powered desalination facility—addressing significant portions of the district's needs.

• The district faces projected shortages of approximately 528 MGD in the Rio Grande Valley by 2030, plus growing demands in Corpus Christi (current municipal/industrial use ~100 MGD, with industrial growth adding pressure), totaling an estimated 600-700 MGD additional supply needed to cover agriculture, municipal, and industrial sectors amid drought.

• Jobs Created: Up to 3,000-5,000 jobs, including 1,000-2,000 temporary construction roles for the desal facility and evaporators, 200-500 permanent operations/maintenance positions, and 500-1,000 in startups, tech innovation, and salt processing—boosting local employment in South Texas.

• Industries Spurred: Advances in desalination and ZLD brine utilization will foster growth in lithium mining (creating a Northeast Texas lithium hub), chemical and fertilizer production from extracted salts, renewable energy integration, water tech startups, and support for oil/gas, plastics manufacturing, and agriculture—potentially generating billions in economic activity while enhancing export opportunities.

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