Thousands of New Mexico students are at risk due to dangerous pollutants emitted by oil wells in the state. Recent aerial surveys have revealed high levels of methane venting into the atmosphere from oil and gas operations across the Permian Basin, a busy fossil fuel region that spans southeast New Mexico and West Texas. These emissions pose a significant health risk to students attending schools near extraction facilities.
According to a report by the Center for Biological Diversity, more than 34,000 students in New Mexico attend schools within a mile of an oil well, and 24,000 students are within a half-mile radius. This alarming proximity has prompted environmental groups to call on the state to implement a ban on new oil wells within a mile of schools and to phase out existing wells operating within this health buffer zone.
Concerns extend beyond the Permian Basin, as extraction facilities in the northwest San Juan Basin also border schools, putting students at risk of air pollution. Approximately 18,000 students in this area face similar dangers. The report highlights that in Eddy and Lea counties alone, there are 35 schools adjacent to oil wells, impacting 16,000 students.
The emissions from these wells include methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can have serious health effects, such as increasing the risk of cancer, asthma, birth defects, and respiratory issues. This is particularly concerning for children whose bodies are still developing and are more vulnerable to pollution-related illnesses.
In response to these concerns, the Center for Biological Diversity and other environmental groups are urging the state to expand the established buffer zone, which currently applies only to wells on State Trust land near schools. They argue that all New Mexico lands around schools should be included to better protect children from air pollution and its associated health risks.
On the other hand, the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association asserts that fossil fuel companies prioritize the safety and well-being of frontline communities alongside their extraction operations. They claim that strict permitting requirements ensure the nearby public’s safety, and employees and their children also live and attend schools in the state.
The New Mexico government has taken steps to regulate emissions from oil and gas facilities. Last year, the New Mexico Environment Department implemented new emission control requirements focused on reporting, detection, and repair of gas leaks in the oilfield, targeting VOCs that contribute to cancer-causing ground-level ozone. Additionally, the state’s Oil Conservation Division announced new rules requiring operators to capture 98 percent of natural gas emissions by 2026.
While these regulations aim to limit pollutants entering the atmosphere and protect communities from the impacts of the oil and gas industry, critics argue that more needs to be done. Gail Evans, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, emphasizes the importance of establishing health buffers around schools as a critical first step to protect children’s health and safety.
Moving forward, it is crucial for New Mexico to strike a balance between economic development and ensuring the safety and well-being of its communities. By prioritizing the implementation of health buffer zones and strengthening regulations on emissions from oil and gas operations, the state can work towards safeguarding its students and mitigating the negative impacts of fossil fuels on the environment.
