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Tuesday, September 18, 2018
ExxonMobil’s XTO Energy Donates Water to Address Drought Conditions in Colorado
XTO Energy to donate 5,000 acre-feet of water on Colorado’s Western Slope
Transfer of water made in coordination with state’s Division Engineer’s office
Donation will supply water needed for 1,500 homes or 10,000 acres of farmland for one year
DENVER, Colo. – XTO Energy Inc., a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation, today announced its plans to transfer 5,000 acre-feet of water to the State of Colorado on behalf of ExxonMobil in order to address serious drought conditions on the state’s Western Slope.
In the coming days, XTO will release water that ExxonMobil maintains at Ruedi Reservior in Pitkin County for use downstream of the reservoir, including for irrigation and fish habitat purposes. The company has coordinated the release with the state’s Division Engineer’s office.
“In a water year as dire as 2018, increased river flows to benefit the endangered fish also benefit the farmers, and indeed, all the water users, in the Grand Valley,” said Mark Harris, general manager, Grand Valley Water Users Association. “By adding water to the Colorado River, ExxonMobil’s contribution helps assure the proper operation of our diversion structures for the benefit of not only the Grand Valley Water Users Association and the Grand Valley Irrigation Company, but also the Orchard Mesa, Palisade and Mesa County Irrigation Districts and all their customers.”
“ExxonMobil’s action will result in Reclamation providing 5,000 acre-feet of urgently needed water to protect endangered fish in a 15-mile reach of the Colorado River,” said Signe Snortland, area manager, Eastern Colorado, Bureau of Reclamation. “We will coordinate the release of this water with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This water will also provide valuable “push” water to the agricultural community in the Grand Valley.”
“XTO Energy shares the State of Colorado’s concerns about the persistent drought that is affecting much of Colorado,” said Michael Johnson, vice president, XTO Energy Central Division. “Just as we did during the 2002 drought, we are making an effort to offer our assistance by donating water we would normally use for internal operational purposes to help mitigate drought impacts.”
The donated water is sufficient to supply the water needs of approximately 1,500 homes or irrigate approximately 10,000 acres of farmland for one year.
About XTO Energy
XTO Energy, a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation, is a leading oil and natural gas producer in the United States with expertise in developing tight gas, shale gas and unconventional oil resources. XTO or its affiliates operate in all major U.S. unconventional producing regions and Western Canada. In Colorado, XTO holds 492,000 acres and produces approximately 106 million cubic feet of natural gas per day. In 2017, XTO Energy and ExxonMobil contributed $949,000 to higher education, medical care, environmental research and arts and civic organizations in Colorado.