N.M. Senators: Eastern New Mexico pipeline bill moves ahead in Senate

WASHINGTON — A key Senate committee approved a bill today authorizing the federal government to build a pipeline that will carry water to several communities in Curry and Roosevelt counties, according to a press release from New Mexico’s Congressional delegation.

The legislation, called the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System Authorization Act, cleared the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and can now be considered by the full Senate, the release said.

The measure authorizes the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to spend up to $327 million to assist the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water Authority in the construction of the pipeline, the release said. The water will come from the Ute Reservoir, which was built on the Canadian River in 1959 as a sustainable water supply for eastern New Mexico.  

Under the legislation the state and the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water Authority, which represents communities in eastern New Mexico that will benefit from the pipeline, will contribute a total of 25 percent of the cost of construction, the release said. The Authority will be responsible for operating and maintaining the pipeline.

Sens. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., and Pete Domenici, R-N.M., said today’s news was a big step for the project.

“After years of developing this legislation and building congressional support for it, I am very pleased it has cleared its first hurdle,” said Bingaman, D-N.M., chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Communities that will be served by the pipeline include: Grady, Clovis, Melrose, Texico, Portales, Elida, Cannon Air Force Base, and other potential locations in Curry, Roosevelt and Quay counties.

Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M., introduced the same measure in the House of Representatives and is working to build support for the bill in that chamber.