Westerville, OH — U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mexico) and Rep. Bart Gordon (D-Tennessee) have received the 2007 Ground Water Protector Award from the National Ground Water Association (NGWA).

The Ground Water Protector Award recognizes people in government, industry and the private sector for their public service in conjunction with ground water conservation, protection and use.

Sen. Bingaman is being recognized for his leadership in the nationally vital issue of water sustainability and promotion of water science. NGWA emphasized both these subject in its December, 2005, “Declaration of The Global Importance of Ground Water.” Also, NGWA has consistently supported the use of sound science in water policy development.

“The availability of fresh water is becoming increasingly important both here and abroad as we confront water scarcity problems. Sen. Bingaman’s leadership and priority in water sustainability issues is much needed in these times,” said NGWA Government Affairs Committee Chairman Alan Eades.

“Likewise, the senator’s commitment to sound science as the basis for development of water policy serves our nation well,” Eades said.

Sen. Bingaman serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Rep. Gordon was recognized, in part, for his sponsorship a bill to provide a business tax credit for the installation of energy efficient geothermal heat pump systems that would advance the nation’s energy independence and promote environmental stewardship.

“In a time when America’s energy independence is more important than ever, geothermal heating and cooling just plain makes sense,” NGWA’s Eades said. “We applaud Representative Gordon’s leadership in supporting the geothermal tax credit.”

Representative Gordon represents Tennessee’s Sixth District, which includes 15 Middle Tennessee counties. He chairs the Committee on Science and Technology, and serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

SOURCE: The National Ground Water Association