NM Legislature
From the President’s Desk: The Governor’s ‘Strategic Water Supply’ and the Million Dollar Contractor’s ‘Feasibility Study’
You won’t learn from the Feasibility Study Review Draft that desalination of Permian Basin fracking wastewater, the explicit 2028 goal of the Governor’s 50-Year Water Action Plan, would require all the energy from multiple San Juan Generating Station-sized power plants to produce a maximum of 65,000 acre-feet of treated water and an equal amount of concentrated, hazardous waste. You also won’t learn that desalination of 100,000 acre-feet per year of deep brackish water would require the equivalent of building three and a third El Paso Kay Bailey Hutchison desalination projects.
Read MoreFrom the President’s Desk: Governor Lujan Grisham’s Bad Water Priorities for Next Fiscal Year
While many steps are being taken in the right direction, we are short on reliable facts, trusted data, and funding; and long on misinformation. The Governor’s water leadership focus is badwater treatment, justified by oil and gas industry disinformation. The opportunity costs of this focus are unacceptable. The State of New Mexico must instead focus on stewardship of the good water that we have.
Read MoreFrom the President’s Desk: Water Resilience, Powerful Politicians, and 10-Year Outcomes
While many steps are being taken in the right direction, we are short on reliable facts, trusted data, and funding; and long on misinformation. The Governor’s water leadership focus is badwater treatment, justified by oil and gas industry disinformation. The opportunity costs of this focus are unacceptable. The State of New Mexico must instead focus on stewardship of the good water that we have.
Read MoreFrom the President’s Desk: “The Middle Rio Grande Water Governance Forecast is for Accelerating Progress in 2024!”
Part II – “Co-Creation of a Sustainable Water Future for the Middle Rio Grande.”
The past two years have set the stage for accelerated progress in managing New Mexico’s water resources for much greater resilience, as described in Part I, a 2023 summary report. Part II is about 2024.
Water Funding by the 2024 Legislature is Essential. Please tell your legislators.
Together, New Mexicans made significant strides in addressing the multifaceted challenges of water management and conservation in New Mexico in 2023.
Read More2023 Year-End Report – From the President’s Desk
Together, New Mexicans made significant strides in addressing the multifaceted challenges of water management and conservation in New Mexico in 2023.
Read MoreFrom the President’s Desk
My first day of November began with a reflective walk along the Rio Grande. From one day to the next, the river had transformed from a trickle to a surge.
Read MoreProgress Is Accelerating. Think Water – Act Now.
At this juncture, New Mexico and the Middle Rio Grande stand on the precipice, necessitating unified, swift action to combat looming water challenges. With the legal framework now in place, we must now establish collaborative regional water security planning councils across New Mexico.
Read MoreThe Urgent State of the Rio Grande
Water is Life! Our fight against escalating water consumption and the impending scarcity demands unified, concerted efforts from all sectors and communities. It is essential to align on the objective of water conservation and embark on sustainable practices immediately. The onus is not on the State alone; it’s a collective responsibility to ensure the preservation and sustainability of water resources for the generations to follow.
Read MoreFrom the President’s Desk
September was a pivotal month in advancing equitable adaptation to escalating water scarcity within the Middle Rio Grande. Please follow our work and attend our October and November events.
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