New Mexico Commission considers rules for recycled fracking water reuse in 13 counties
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Apr 27
New Mexico Commission considers rules for recycled fracking water reuse in 13 counties
9 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Apr 27
The panel may decide as soon as May whether to permit reuse of treated produced water, a byproduct of fracking, in 13 of New Mexico’s 33 counties.
Industry advocates argue recycled water could ease drought and reduce strain on freshwater, while environmentalists warn of contamination risks and costly damages. Regulatory uncertainty deters investment in large-scale recycling projects.
The Permian Basin produces billions of gallons of contaminated water daily, and previous disposal methods have caused earthquakes and leaks, intensifying pressure for sustainable solutions amid ongoing drought and regulatory staffing challenges.
With disposal wells failing daily, why are new recycling rules for toxic water stalled?
Can toxic fracking wastewater ever be truly safe for irrigating crops and recharging rivers?
Can new molten-salt reactors finally make oilfield wastewater clean enough for public use?
Is fracking's toxic water a billion-dollar liability or a 'liquid gold mine' for minerals?
Who owns the valuable minerals like lithium found inside billions of gallons of wastewater?
What are the hidden radioactive dangers in the oil industry's wastewater recycling plan?