New Mexico
Environment Department pushing forward with strategic water supply – NM Political Report
Despite the fact that the legislature has not yet approved funding for a strategic water supply, the New Mexico Environment Department already issued a request for information related to this proposal. The request for information is the first step toward developing this strategic water supply. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced her plan to develop a […]
Despite the fact that the legislature has not yet approved funding for a strategic water supply, the New Mexico Environment Department already issued a request for information related to this proposal.
The request for information is the first step toward developing this strategic water supply.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced her plan to develop a strategic water supply late last year. Under her proposal, companies would clean up produced or brackish water to be used in certain settings, such as industrial processes or hydrogen energy production.
“To meet the demands of communities now and in the future, to sustain our economic growth, and to meet this moment with a first-of-its-kind solution, the Strategic Water Supply will build a secure, resilient water future for our state,” Lujan Grisham said in a press release. “The Strategic Water Supply will preserve our freshwater and spur the private sector to turn an untapped resource into water that we can use without asking taxpayers to front the cost.”
The RFI, which closes at the end of March, seeks technical and economic information from various sources including businesses, academia, government agencies, private individuals and other stakeholders. NMED is particularly interested in information related to sourcing, treatment, delivery, storage and industrial uses of brackish and produced water. Produced water is a byproduct of oil and gas production.
Our politics newsletter will run three times a week during the session. Sign up here for all the legislative news in your inbox for free!
To make the strategic water supply a reality, the legislature will need to appropriate $500 million over the next two years.
In the past, proposals to use produced water have been met with backlash from some members of the environmental community that have concerns about the chemicals, some of which are considered proprietary by oil and gas companies, that are used in fracking and can be found in produced water.
According to the RFI, should this strategic water supply become a reality, the state would purchase treated water under a contract agreement with individual vendors.
“Initially, the State of New Mexico will utilize the contract agreements with individual vendors to facilitate expanded industrial uses of the treated water,” the RFI states.
As part of the RFI process, there will be two virtual public meetings. The first will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 27 and the second will be from 10 a.m. to noon on March 1.
“This game-changing water initiative is essential to fueling the next generation of New Mexico’s clean jobs, growing our economy, and conserving our freshwater sources,” NMED Cabinet Secretary James Kenney said in a press release. “New Mexico is meeting the urgency of the moment with this innovative climate and economic solution.”
A request for proposals will likely be published this summer along with project-specific concept papers. The submissions will be due this fall.
Every Thursday, get the latest environment news from New Mexico in your email. Sign up here!
New Mexico
UNM med school aims to double. Does New Mexico have enough residency slots to keep docs in state?
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Here is a look at scores and highlights from week 12 of Friday Night Football.
6A
- #10 Cibola – 10
- #7 Volcano Vista – 14
- #9 Piedra Vista – 24
- #8 Los Lunas – 28
Game of the Week
- #12 Eldorado – 7
- #5 La Cueva – 41
Las Cruces Joins the Show
5A
- #9 Mayfield – 22
- #8 Highland – 36
- #10 Valley – 23
- #7 Belen – 50
- #11 Capital – 0
- #6 Gadsden – 50
4A
- #11 Portales – 13
- #6 Moriarty – 49
- #12 Valencia – 0
- #5 Albuquerque Academy – 42
- #9 Manzano – 28
- #8 Bernalillo – 31
Bloomfield Joins the Show
St. Michael’s Joins the Show
- #9 Jal – 13
- #8 Navajo Prep – 22
Tawney Acosta Chaparro Law Defender of the Week
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – One of Albuquerque’s favorite restaurants is making a comeback.
Last Call Eatery is known for burritos, tacos and other bold flavors with a healthier twist.
Owner Luis Valdovinos was in the KOB 4 studio Friday morning to talk about the return of Last call and its new location.
Watch the video above for more.
101-year-old Kristallnacht survivor warns current era ‘equivalent to 1938’ on anniversary of Nazi riot
Final hurdles cleared to deport Abrego Garcia to Liberia, Trump admin says
America’s obesity crisis meets the Ozempic boom as data reveals GLP-1 hot spots
Jordon Hudson takes swipe at critics with message on necklace as she watches UNC win
AI could drive US unemployment to 20%, senators warn as new bill targets job tracking
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Final hurdles cleared to deport Abrego Garcia to Liberia, Trump admin says
US government shutdown enters 40th day: How is it affecting Americans?
Judge says Education Dept. partisan out-of-office emails violated First Amendment
Newsom tells Texas crowd taking back House is ‘the whole thing’ for Democrats in 2026
Trump hands Viktor Orbán a win as Hungary locks exemption for Russian energy imports
-
Austin, TX3 days agoHalf-naked woman was allegedly tortured and chained in Texas backyard for months by five ‘friends’ who didn’t ‘like her anymore’
-
Seattle, WA1 week agoESPN scoop adds another intriguing name to Seahawks chatter before NFL trade deadline
-
Southwest2 days agoTexas launches effort to install TPUSA in every high school and college
-
Business1 week agoCommentary: Meme stocks are still with us, offering new temptations for novice and unwary investors
-
World4 days agoIsrael’s focus on political drama rather than Palestinian rape victim
-
Southwest5 days agoArmy veteran-turned-MAGA rising star jumps into fiery GOP Senate primary as polls tighten
-
Lifestyle7 days agoDuane Roberts, Inventor of the Frozen Burrito, Dead at 88
-
News1 week agoVideo: Mamdani Leads in Latest Polls