NM Environment Secretary Advocates to Expand Use of Wastewater

8.22.25 – Last month, state Environment Secretary James Kenney made a rare appearance at a meeting of the Water Quality Control Commission. Kenney advocated for the board to adopt a proposal that would expand the state’s use of “produced water” — oil and gas wastewater that’s loaded with questionable chemicals. Previous pushes to pass a similar proposal have died in the Legislature, as well as with the water commission. This latest proposal, however, has moved forward, and the board will consider it in November. Jerry Redfern, an oil and gas reporter with Capital and Main, recently stopped by our studio to ask Kenney about his department’s sudden embrace of expanded uses for wastewater. 

Correspondent: Jerry Redfern 

Guest: James Kenney, Secretary, New Mexico Environment Department 

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Amid strong opposition, New Mexico water board lets plan for more oil and gas wastewater use proceed – Source New Mexico