Commission backs joining regional petition to pursue produced-water hearings and reuse options
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Summary
The commission voted to join a multi-county petition and support regional engagement on produced-water reuse, asking the Water Quality Control Commission to hold hearings in the region; proponents said there would be no county cost and that newer science supports beneficial reuse for non‑potable purposes.
Matthew Gonzalez of the Consumer Energy Alliance returned to the commission with an updated resolution asking Lee County to co-petition the New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) to hold regional hearings on produced-water reuse. Gonzalez said the change would allow counties in affected regions to request hearings near where produced water is generated and to ensure local voices, scientists and industry can present evidence.
Gonzalez told commissioners the Water Alliance would lead the petitioning process and that the county would not incur costs to join. He also cited updated science from the New Mexico Produced Water Consortium, asserting treatment can reach standards "cleaner than clean drinking water" for selected beneficial uses — while also emphasizing the campaign’s focus on non-potable industrial uses such as oil-and-gas operations and cooling for data centers.
Commissioners expressed frustration at earlier WQCC processes that drew large scripted public-comment turnout and said additional local education and hearings would improve the record. One commissioner moved to approve the resolution and the motion passed unanimously.
The county attorney and staff will work with petition organizers to file a co‑petition and coordinate local outreach and public hearings as they are scheduled.