The Plain Truth v. Fracking Waste Reuse Rush
The New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission on Friday, August 8, finished the second full week of its ongoing public hearing on the New Mexico Environment Department wastewater reuse rule.
NEE's expert witness Justin Nobel testifies
New Energy Economy three experts' "eviscerating testimony" this week was followed by an oilman's truthful answers to incisive questions by Commissioners and NEE's attorneys.
WQCC Chair Dr. Thomson and Member Dominguez listening
Consensus is emerging from the adversarial hearing. Valid scientific research in certified laboratories and scientifically conducted and reported small scale field testing must be permitted only if the research generates information to inform future regulations for reuse of fracking waste off the oil field.
Garden hose size test flows must be the maximum allowed for field pilot testing projects. Environment Department permits must require financial assurance, complete containment and safe, regulated disposal of all residuals.
Next Monthly Workshop
6:30 pm September 19, 2024
Interactive workshops are scheduled for the third Thursday of each month (except December) at 6:30pm.
Our Land’s Laura Paskus is a remarkable journalist with a unique New Mexico talent for telling its environmental and water stories. Laura interviewed Adrian Ogelsby, Director of the Utton Center at the UNM School of Law, Hannah Riseley-White, New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission Director, Jason Casuga, Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District CEO, and Norm Gaume, President, Water Advocates, in 2023, regarding the Rio Grande and New Mexico groundwater.
Click on the names above to view the video recordings at newmexicopbs.org
Listen to Laura's questions and their responses to learn about the state’s water challenges, the importance of interstate river compacts, the possibilities of protecting water for rivers and future generations of New Mexicans, and how people can become involved in water planning.
Sen. Carrie Hamblen on the New Mexico Legislature and Water Advocacy
3/24/24 President's note: After hearing the Conservation Voters of New Mexico's reasons for selecting New Mexico State Senator Carrie Hamblen, D-Dona Ana for their top Luminaria Award for her climate and energy policy leadership and listening to the senator's acceptance speech, I invited her while she was still at the event to be the featured guest for a Water Advocates 3rd Thursday evening workshop and speaker series. She readily agreed.
I traveled to Las Cruces to interview her for our March workshop. Sen. Hamblen knew we Water Advocates were seeking advice regarding how to get the legislature to recognize worsening water scarcity as New Mexico's most fundamental, existential problems.
Her insight and observations and motivation for public service impressed and humbled me. Her advice and observations demonstrate what the Fulbright Scholars concluded last year. "Research continues to find problems and propose solutions that don’t reach the people." The legislators are volunteer citizens, unpaid, without staff and their own interests. They are the people that the research does not reach."
Senator Hamblen gave us valuable insights into what we citizens and state water agencies must do this interim, and who is most important to talk to: the appropriation committee members. I'll have much more on this soon, In our forthcoming April 2024 News.
The interview audio recording with audience questions and answers is available for download here. The video version is available here
Water Advocates Vision
We envision a balanced water future for New Mexico in which we equitably adapt to climate change and are stewards of our water, thereby preserving our diverse cultures, economy, food production, and natural ecosystems.
We envision that after the 2025 legislative session makes major progress in improving New Mexico's water governance policy and appropriations, we will recognize the 2023 Legislature's unanimous approval of the Water Security Planning Act SB337 (2023), authorizing the new statewide water resilience planning program, as the tipping point leading to accelerating and successful adaptation to life in New Mexico with less water.
Click here for more information on the Water Advocates vision, mission, strategies, and theory of change.
Explore the Website:
Go to the EVENTS page for announcements of current water happenings. Read about our PROJECTS. Sign up for our Email Discussion Forum on the CONTACT page. Find links to key water information and organizations on the RESOURCES page. Learn about water management ISSUES. You can also see/hear recordings of previous conferences.
