A dispute over a proposed expansion of a southern New Mexico power plant has reached a tentative resolution.
The Oil Conservation Commission has approved expansion plans for the Lightning Dock geothermal power plant in the Animals Valley, but with conditions intended to address protests from a local fishery.
AmeriCulture Inc., a tilapia fish farm, and a local water conservation board have demonstrated against Cyrq Energy Inc.
They say the plant would re-inject geothermal water at shallower injection wells under its expansion, potentially damaging groundwater quality.
The commission approved three new injection wells Oct. 9 with the caveat that the plant drives their pipes at least 150 feet below the shallow water resource.
Two lawsuits between the two entities, however, remain ongoing.
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Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com
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