Sunday, Feb 20 2011 7:22PM
President Obama's preliminary 2012 budget does not contain funding for New Mexico's Ute pipeline.
A pipeline between New Mexico’s Ute Reservoir to the state’s rural eastern region may not begin this year, as President Obama’s 2010 budget proposal did not set aside funding required to undertake the project.
The $500 million project would have pumped water from the reservoir to members of the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority, a rural water supply project. According to the Portales News Tribune, the project was authorized in 2009 and would require 75 percent of its funding to come from the federal government.
In a press release, Senator Jeff Bingaman said he was disappointed that the pipeline project was not chosen for funding.
"I will continue to push for funding for this important initiative, but it will be difficult to secure funding this year in light of the current ban on seeking earmarked funds for such projects," he said.
While the Ute pipeline was set aside in the budget, other initiatives to improve New Mexico's water system services were approved. On his website, Bingaman announced the budget will finance a $30.8 million Navajo water settlement, in addition to other state water projects.