By Oil and gas companies are looking for legal cover as Texas considers using waste brine to offset the state’s water shortage.
The industrial waste, known as produced water, is too toxic to be used for anything but fracking. Texas faces long-term water shortages because of its growing population and leaky infrastructure. Cleaning produced water is one way lawmakers hope to increase water supply.
The House has approved legislation to put industries in the clear for treatment of produced water. The bill is awaiting a Senate debate.
