KOB 4 News (Albuquerque, NM) is reporting that New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, while attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (“COP28UAE”), has expressed concern about the future of clean water in New Mexico and the southwest United States.
Governor Lujan Grisham is seeking legislative approval for $500 million over the next two legislative sessions ($250M in 2024 and $250M in 2025) to be invested into private businesses that treat and reuse certain types of water. The funds would be generated by already existing taxes levied on companies extracting natural resources.
During an interview at COP28UAE (see the YouTube video below), the governor said that “[w]hat we want you to do is clean up produced water, which is a byproduct of our oil and gas industry. We have sizeable brackish water reserves, frankly, nearly statewide. We’re going to turn water that is waste, which is a problem, into a commodity.”
The KOB 4 News article may be read HERE.
Here is a YouTube video of KOB 4 News’ December 5, 2023 report:
More on the United Nations COP28UAE is available HERE.
On December 5, 2023, Governor Lujan Grisham issued a Press Release regarding her participation in the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Press Release may be read and/or downloaded here: NM Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham – Strategic Water Supply – Press Release 12-05-2023.
My brothers and sisters, the Lujan Grisham administration has, without equivocation, pushed nonstop for reuse, recycling, renewable energy and the diminishment of the oil and gas industry – except for all of the tax monies resulting from oil and gas production.
We should all be able to agree that water is a most precious resource, now and into the future, and that having sufficient clean water is critically important. There remains, however, concerns about spending priorities.
The current administration, along with the partisan-controlled New Mexico Legislature, seem very comfortable encumbering and spending taxpayer funds for use by private companies to further political agendas in the name of environmental stewardship (e.g., wind/solar energy, recycling, hydrogen cell development, electric vehicle mandates).
Assuming that reuse and recycling of brackish (produced) waters from oil and gas exploration and extraction, and the contaminated water (or other wastes) produced during mining operations is economically feasible and does not result in unintended consequences negating any benefit of such reuse or recycling, then wonderful. But, if such regulation puts the very companies being regulated out of business, then all of the good intentions in the world are for not.
Let’s pray for our governmental leaders, and especially for Governor Lujan Grisham and New Mexico Environment Department Cabinet Secretary James C. Kenney, to walk humbly and in wisdom. Regardless of whether we agree politically with the current administration’s priorities, the fact remains that the governor is speaking internationally on behalf of all New Mexicans.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, [a]nd lean not on your own understanding; [i]n all your ways acknowledge Him, [a]nd He shall direct your paths.”
James 1:5 (NKJV)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
1 Timothy 2:1-3 (ESV)
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior…”.
Praise Jesus forevermore!
