New Mexico’s schools face a silent health crisis as oil and gas operations provide crucial funding while simultaneously exposing nearly 30,000 students to potentially harmful emissions.
Key Takeaways
- 694 oil and gas wells operate within one mile of New Mexico schools, potentially exposing 29,500 students to harmful emissions
- The oil and gas industry contributes $1.7 billion to New Mexico’s K-12 education budget, creating a dependency on the same industry affecting student health
- Air quality studies at schools like Lybrook Elementary found high levels of pollutants including benzene and hydrogen sulfide
- Research shows air pollution from fossil fuels negatively impacts student learning and test scores, even when controlling for socioeconomic factors
- Recent legislation to limit drilling near schools has failed, though the State Land Commissioner banned new leases within a mile of schools on state land
Children Caught Between Economic Benefits and Health Risks
In the rural community of Counselor, New Mexico, 11-year-old Amari Werito regularly suffers from nausea and headaches that his father believes are directly connected to the industrial landscape surrounding his school. Lybrook Elementary sits in the heart of the San Juan Basin, one of America’s richest natural gas deposits, where approximately 70 Navajo students attend classes amid a backdrop of drilling operations, storage tanks, and processing facilities. The school represents ground zero for a growing conflict between educational funding and student welfare that affects communities across the state.
An extensive Associated Press analysis identified 694 oil and gas wells operating within just one mile of New Mexico schools, potentially exposing around 29,500 students to harmful emissions on a daily basis. This proximity creates a troubling paradox: the very industry causing potential health issues also funds the education system. The oil and gas sector contributed $1.7 billion to New Mexico’s K-12 education budget in fiscal year 2024, making it the largest funding source for public schools in one of America’s poorest states.
Scientific Evidence of Educational Impact
Recent scientific research has established clear links between air pollution from fossil fuel operations and reduced academic performance. Economist Mike Gilraine’s extensive studies found that even modest increases in PM2.5 pollution (fine particulate matter) led to measurable declines in student test scores. Conversely, when pollution levels decreased, both test scores and attendance rates improved significantly. These findings held true even when controlling for socioeconomic factors, suggesting air quality directly impacts cognitive function and learning ability.
“This kind of air pollution has a real, measurable effect on students,” said Mike Gilraine, economist and researcher who has studied pollution’s effects on education.
Air quality monitoring conducted at Lybrook Elementary and other New Mexico schools confirmed the presence of concerning levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including benzene, a known carcinogen, and hydrogen sulfide, which can cause respiratory issues even at low concentrations. Many students report symptoms consistent with exposure to these chemicals: headaches, nosebleeds, asthma attacks, and difficulty concentrating—all of which directly interfere with their ability to learn effectively in the classroom environment that taxpayers fund.
Industry Resistance and Policy Challenges
Industry representatives and some local officials have pushed back against these findings, questioning the methodology of air quality studies and emphasizing the economic benefits the oil and gas sector brings to communities. Lee White, superintendent of the Bloomfield School District, expressed concern about losing vital funding, stating bluntly: “Are we willing to give that up because people say our air is not clean?” This perspective highlights the difficult position many communities find themselves in—balancing immediate economic needs against potential long-term health consequences.
“Are we willing to give that up because people say our air is not clean?” asked Lee White, superintendent of the Bloomfield School District, regarding the industry’s crucial financial contributions to New Mexico schools.
Efforts to establish protective buffer zones around schools have faced significant obstacles. A bill that would have prohibited new drilling within one mile of schools failed in the New Mexico legislature. However, State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard did issue an executive order banning new oil and gas leases within a mile of schools on state-owned land—though this protection applies to just a fraction of affected schools. Meanwhile, ongoing legal actions seek to enforce better pollution controls on existing wells, a compromise position that acknowledges the state’s economic dependence on the industry.
Finding Balance Between Economy and Health
The situation in New Mexico illustrates a complex challenge facing many energy-producing regions under President Trump’s pro-energy policies—how to balance economic prosperity with public health concerns, especially when those most affected are children. Some industry advocates argue that more research is needed before making policy changes that could impact the state’s economy. Andrea Felix, representing an industry perspective, emphasized this view: “There needs to be a robust study to actually answer these questions.” However, families like the Weritos continue to witness their children’s health deteriorate while waiting for definitive action.
“There needs to be a robust study to actually answer these questions,” said Andrea Felix, representing industry concerns about potential overregulation based on limited data.
For communities caught in this dilemma, the path forward likely involves finding middle ground—maintaining the economic benefits of energy production while implementing stronger safeguards for vulnerable populations. This might include stricter emissions controls on existing wells, more comprehensive air quality monitoring, and greater investment in school ventilation systems. With the oil and gas industry projected to remain a cornerstone of New Mexico’s economy for decades to come, developing solutions that protect both prosperity and public health represents one of the state’s most pressing challenges.
