The House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday unanimously passed a bill to help remediate an abandoned brine well in the city of Carlsbad.
The bill aims to avert a potential collapse that could cause significant environmental and economic damage to Eddy County. House Bill 29, sponsored by Rep. Cathrynn Brown, R-Eddy, would establish an advisory authority to recommend policy and guide remediation efforts to stabilize the well and prevent a possible collapse.
The authority would be composed of the mayor of Carlsbad, the chair of the Eddy County Commission, the secretary of New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, the secretary of the New Mexico Environment Department, the secretary of the New Mexico Department of Transportation, the Attorney General, the State Engineer, and the manager of the Carlsbad Irrigation District, or their designates.
Experts testified during the hearing that a collapse could result in over $1 billion in damages to Carlsbad and the surrounding area. The threat of collapse poses a risk to public safety and endangers ground water quality.
“Time is of the essence. We cannot afford to cross our fingers and hope the worst will not happen, especially when there are steps we can take to prevent a future catastrophe,” said Brown.
Brown introduced a similar bill last year. It was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives, but it died in the Senate without action. This year, Sen. Carroll Leavell, R-Eddy and Lea, has introduced a parallel bill in the Senate.
House Bill 29 now moves to the full House of Representatives for consideration.
