Contingent of Democratic and Republican Legislators Join Oil and Gas Industry Effort to Overturn Produced Water Rule
Several New Mexico Legislators filed letters in support of an effort by the Water Access Treatment & Reuse Alliance to substantially change the recently approved New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission’s (WQCC) rule which prohibits the discharge of Produced Water – a by-product of oil and gas fracking.
The letters in support of the Water Access Treatment & Reuse Alliance (WATR Alliance) efforts to change the newly adopted rules regarding the prohibition of the discharge of produced water came from several Democrats and some Republicans (the Candle has published copies of their letters below).
There have also been letters of support from the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Albuquerque Metropolitan Flood Control Authority.
[UPDATE: The Candle confirmed with the Albuquerque Metropolitan Flood Control Authority that the letter on Albuquerque Metropolitan Flood Control Authority stationary, and in support of the WATR Alliance’s motion for the produced water hearing, was “the opinion of a single member of the Board” as we previously reported.]
Yesterday, The Candle published a press release and a copy of a letter from twenty-five other Legislators who opposed the re-opening of the rule making process given the new rule just went into effect after a year and a half of expert testimony, public participation, and deliberations of the WQCC.
(The Candle will attempt to update and report on other comments filed in this matter.)
More reporting to come regarding the proceedings of the WQCC on this matter, which is scheduled to continue today at the regular monthly meeting of the WQCC beginning at 9:00 AM.
Details on how to attend/watch the meeting are listed below:
Water Quality Control Commission Monthly Meeting – Tuesday, August 12, 2025, 9am – 12pm
| This is the monthly meeting of the WQCC. Meeting Notice Agenda Meeting link: nmed-oit.webex.com… Meeting number: 2865 437 5193 Password: YJxSc3JgM99 Join by phone +1-415-655-0001 US Toll Access code: 2865 437 5193LocationWebEx and in person: NM State Capitol Room 307 490 Old Santa Fe Trail Santa Fe, NM 87505ContactPamela.Jones@env.nm.govEvent typeBoard/commission meeting |
Copies of the letters from Legislators supporting the effort to change the new produced water rules are listed here:
Democratic Legislators’ Letter Supporting Rule Change Hearing
Republican and Democratic Legislators’ Email and Letter Supporting Rule Change Hearing
Chamber of Commerce and Albuquerque Metropolitan Flood Control Authority Member’s Letters Supporting Rule Change Hearing