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New Mexico official says Texas landowners are “stealing” millions of gallons of water and selling it back for fracking

Water restrictions in New Mexico have created a supply crunch for the fracking industry, so more free-flowing Texas water is helping to fill the void. But not without controversy: A top New Mexico politician says Texans are pumping his state's water and piping it across the state line for oil drillers.

New Mexico State Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn walks along Highway 652 near the Texas-New Mexico border on May 23, 2018.
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Rancher and land owner Sonny Lindsay walks on land he has leased to ConocoPhillips along Highway 652 near the Texas-New Mexico border.
New Mexico State Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn  stands along Highway 652 below the Lea County sign at the Texas-New Mexico border on May 23, 2018.

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