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New Mexico Rule Changing Fracking Water Reuse Eyed

State environmental regulators are considering a proposed rule that would allow the reuse of produced water in oilfield drilling operations.

New Mexico Environment Department Secretary David Martin told Hobbs News-Sun this week that the department is working with the Oil Conservation Commission on the new rule that could help cut fresh water consumption by industry.

The draft of that rule is expected sometime this month.

Martin says the changes New Mexico is looking to adopt are similar to those used in Texas, where produced water is already being reused in drilling and hydraulic fracturing operations.

John Tintera, president of the Texas Water Recycling Commission, met with New Mexico environmental regulators and industry leaders earlier this year to help map out the proposed rule change.

Information from: Hobbs News-Sun.

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