N.M. Governor Signs New Water Bills

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson yesterday signed into law several bills aimed at conserving and cleaning up the state's water supply.

The bills were passed during the recent legislative session. Wednesday is the deadline for the governor to sign or veto legislation.

One of the measures was a controversial proposal to let the state's Environment Department divert money for petroleum-storage tank cleanup to other water quality programs.

Another bill gives the state engineer authority over impounding surface water for livestock purposes.

And another law is intended to make it easier for the Public Service Company of New Mexico to use so-called produced water — water that is a byproduct of oil and gas drilling — at its San Juan Generating Station near Farmington.

Source: The Associated Press