Environmental Justice Consortium begins new journey focused on education and collaboration

The Colorado Produced Water Consortium convened on May 9, 2025, to embark on a new phase of its ongoing journey in addressing produced water management. The meeting, led by a consortium member, began with expressions of gratitude for the diverse expertise and commitment of its participants. The leader emphasized the importance of listening and understanding various perspectives, a principle that has guided the consortium since its inception nearly two years ago.

The agenda for the meeting was structured to focus on education and knowledge-sharing rather than debate. The leader introduced several key speakers who would provide insights into various aspects of produced water management. Jessica Chavez, the new environmental justice liaison for the Energy and Carbon Management Commission, was set to discuss her upcoming work. Following her, Commissioner Oath from the ECMC would update the group on the produced water emissions work group.

Rainey Kumar, a senior GIS analyst from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, was scheduled to present on environmental justice mapping tools. Kevin Chan, representing disproportionately impacted communities, would share perspectives on community engagement in identifying solutions for produced water. Local government considerations regarding centralized produced water storage and treatment would be addressed by Commissioner Pinter and Katie Keefe from Adams County. Lastly, Rick McCurdy, vice president of innovation and sustainability at Select Water Solutions, would discuss technical considerations for building centralized facilities.

The meeting's primary focus was to establish a baseline understanding among participants, setting the stage for future discussions in July and August. The leader encouraged attendees to embrace a mindset of curiosity and learning, reinforcing that today’s agenda was about gaining knowledge rather than debating positions. This approach aims to foster collaboration and informed decision-making as the consortium continues its work on produced water management in Colorado.