Oil and gas executives are attempting to create a new source of profits lining their pockets by selling toxic wastewater from oil and gas production back to New Mexicans. A rule currently being discussed by the Water Quality Control Commission would allow oil and gas wastewater to be used outside of the oilfield, which is currently prohibited in New Mexico.
Wastewater from oil and gas production, sometimes referred to as "Produced" or "New" water, contains many substances known to be harmful to human health including elevated levels of carcinogens, arsenic, and radium. Allowing this to be used outside the oilfield would be a disastrous mistake with grave consequences for future generations. Tell the Water Quality Control Commission that you do NOT want toxic wastewater leaving the oilfield or being sold back to us for any purpose. The next hearing on this matter reconvenes on August 5th, and lasts until August 14th.
Learn about the issue through our collective DefendNMWater.org campaign for an alternative rule with over forty other environmental, Indigenous, and grassroots organizations.
What is this rule?
The proposed Wastewater Reuse Rule, expands the use of fracking waste called “produced water” outside of the “oilfield” by enabling the development of large-scale demonstration projects and industrial applications throughout the state - so long as there is no discharge to ground or surface water planned as part of the project.
The rule authorizes reuse in industrial projects and demonstration projects off the oil field, which will lead to projects throughout the state without proper protections. It authorizes the expansion of fracking oil and gas waste reuse.
The rule contains no minimum standards for the treatment, handling, or disposal of the waste. That’s because standards to treat this toxic waste and make it safe don’t exist!
There ARE NO scientifically proven standards for effective treatment. No credible scientific data exists proving the safety or feasibility of treatment and reuse at the scale being proposed in the rule, because pilot projects on the oil field have failed to provide any credible evidence that they are safe.
FAQs and here Defend NM Water Talking Points
Sign up here to give a 3 minute public comment, in person or virtually, many times available
Please also officially sign up for your comment time by emailing Administrator Pamela Jones: pamela.jones@env.nm.gov
Write: Link for Written Comments to submit to Water Quality Control Commision
FRACKING WASTE IS RADIOACTIVE - LEARN FROM OUR RECENT SPEAKER SERIES WITH JUSTIN NOBLE
Investigative journalist and expert witness in our rulemaking Justin Nobel is wrapping up a week of discussion events across our State highlighting his book: "Petroleum-238 Big Oil's Dangerous Secret and the Grassroots Fight to Stop it".
Thank you to everyone who attended Justin's events!
If you missed them you can get up to speed through any of these resources.
Listen to this riveting podcast by New Energy Economy
Watch the recording of his conversation in Abq at the Peace and Justice CenterListen to his radio interview
We're so lucky to have Justin as an expert witness in our rulemaking hearings, (if you're really intersted you can Read Justin's testimony) his work to expose the toxic dangers of the oil and gas industry has been a great resource to us all - Thank you, Justin!
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