Texas state office joins seawater desalination study

The Texas General Land Office (GLO) formally agreed on 15 April 2013 to partner the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) on the feasibility study it has launched for a seawater desalination plant on the Gulf of Mexico.

Seven groups are left in competition for the feasibility study for the Regional South Central Texas Power & Seawater Desalination Project, which will include a natural gas-fired power plant. A choice will be made in early May.

GBRA executive manager of water resources and utility operations, James Murphy, told D&WR that the authority had been negotiating with the GLO since last October and had only now decided to formally enter into an agreement.

“The GLO is a logical partner as they are the state agency most directly concerned with coastal and offshore development,” said Murphy.