New Mexico students are falling sick as hundreds of oil and gas wells operate within one mile of their schools, creating a contentious battle between economic prosperity and children’s health.
Key Takeaways
- Nearly 700 oil and gas wells operate within one mile of New Mexico schools, potentially exposing 29,500 students to harmful emissions
- Students like Amari Werito suffer from nausea and headaches attributed to nearby natural gas wells, forcing frequent school absences
- Scientific studies confirm that air pollution from fossil fuels directly impacts student learning and test scores, regardless of socioeconomic factors
- Despite health concerns, the oil and gas industry contributes $1.7 billion to New Mexico’s K-12 education budget, creating an economic dependency
- Recent state efforts to limit drilling near schools have faced significant challenges from industry opposition
Children’s Health Versus Economic Reality
In the heart of New Mexico’s oil and gas country, Amari Werito frequently misses school due to severe headaches and nausea that his family attributes to emissions from nearby natural gas wells. Lybrook Elementary School, which Amari attends, sits in the San Juan Basin, one of America’s richest oil and gas deposits. Approximately 70 Navajo students attend this school daily, facing not just educational challenges but potential health hazards from the industrial landscape surrounding them. For families like the Weritos, the economic boom promised by the energy industry comes with costs that can’t be measured in dollars.
An Associated Press analysis identified 694 oil and gas wells operating within a mile of schools across New Mexico. These facilities potentially expose approximately 29,500 students to harmful emissions on a daily basis. This proximity creates an unspoken experiment in public health, with children’s developing bodies and brains serving as unwitting test subjects. The presence of these facilities near schools has created a growing concern among parents and health advocates, who question whether economic development should come at the expense of children’s wellbeing.
Scientific Evidence Connects Pollution to Learning Deficits
Research has increasingly demonstrated that air pollution from fossil fuels adversely affects student learning, even when controlling for socioeconomic factors. These findings present an uncomfortable reality for a state that relies heavily on oil and gas revenues. Mike Gilraine’s study linked increased PM2.5 pollution to measurable declines in student test scores, while showing that reductions in pollution improved both academic performance and attendance rates. These scientific conclusions provide hard data about the educational impacts of industrial emissions.
“This kind of air pollution has a real, measurable effect on students,” said Mike Gilraine, researcher on air pollution’s impact on education.
Air quality studies conducted in New Mexico, including specific testing at Lybrook Elementary, have detected concerning levels of pollutants such as benzene and hydrogen sulfide. These chemicals are known to cause the very symptoms reported by students – headaches, nausea, and respiratory issues. Despite this mounting evidence, some local officials and industry representatives question the reliability of these air quality studies, suggesting more research is needed before making policy changes that could impact economic development.
Economic Benefits Create Complicated Dependency
The economic reality of New Mexico’s relationship with the oil and gas industry creates a complex dilemma. The industry contributes a staggering $1.7 billion to New Mexico’s K-12 education budget, essentially funding the very schools where students may be suffering from industry-related pollution. This financial dependency makes regulatory solutions politically difficult, as any restriction on drilling activities directly impacts state revenue and, by extension, educational funding. The irony is unmistakable – the industry that helps fund education may simultaneously be undermining students’ ability to learn.
“Are we willing to give that up because people say our air is not clean?” asked Lee White, superintendent of Central Consolidated School District.
Recent efforts to limit drilling near schools have encountered significant obstacles. A legislative bill that would have restricted new oil and gas development near schools failed to pass, demonstrating the industry’s political influence. In a limited victory for health advocates, New Mexico’s State Land Commissioner issued an order prohibiting new oil and gas leases within a mile of schools on state-owned land. However, this measure addresses only future development on state lands, leaving existing wells operational and offering no protection for schools near private or federal lands.
Finding Balance Between Energy Independence and Public Health
For conservatives who value both economic development and the protection of vulnerable populations like children, New Mexico’s situation presents a challenging balancing act. President Trump’s energy independence policies recognize the vital importance of domestic oil and gas production, but even the strongest supporters of the energy industry must acknowledge the need for responsible development that doesn’t sacrifice children’s health. Common-sense regulatory approaches that protect school zones while allowing development in appropriate areas would represent a balanced solution that honors both economic priorities and our responsibility to protect the next generation.
“There needs to be a robust study to actually answer these questions,” stated Andrea Felix, representative of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association.
The situation in New Mexico highlights a broader national question about how to balance energy development with public health concerns. While the current regulatory framework heavily favors industry interests, growing evidence of health impacts on children may eventually force a reconsideration of policies regarding drilling near schools. For families like the Weritos, these policy debates have immediate consequences as they weigh their children’s education against potential health risks. Finding solutions that protect both New Mexico’s economic future and its children’s wellbeing remains an urgent priority.
