New Mexico families are being forced to choose between economic prosperity and their children’s health as oil and gas operations surround schools and communities, causing students like Amari Werito to miss class due to severe headaches and nausea linked to industrial emissions.
Key Takeaways
- An AP analysis identified 694 oil and gas wells within a mile of schools in New Mexico, potentially exposing 29,500 students to harmful emissions
- Research confirms that air pollution from fossil fuels negatively impacts student learning, with studies showing reduced test scores in more polluted environments
- Despite health concerns, the oil and gas industry contributes $1.7 billion to New Mexico’s K-12 education budget, creating a complex economic dependency
- Air quality studies at schools like Lybrook Elementary found dangerous levels of pollutants including benzene and hydrogen sulfide, directly affecting student health
- Recent regulatory efforts to create buffer zones between drilling operations and schools have faced significant political and industry resistance
Children Caught in New Mexico’s Energy Crossfire
In the rugged landscapes of northern New Mexico, Billiton Werito’s daily routine includes walking his children past a maze of wellheads, storage tanks, and pipelines on their way to the school bus. His daughter Amari, who attends Lybrook Elementary School, frequently misses classes due to debilitating headaches and nausea that seem to worsen when she’s at school. The facility sits in the heart of the San Juan Basin, one of America’s richest natural gas deposits, where approximately 70 Navajo students receive their education surrounded by industrial infrastructure that many parents believe is making their children sick.
The situation at Lybrook isn’t isolated. According to a comprehensive Associated Press analysis, nearly 700 oil and gas wells operate within one mile of schools across New Mexico, with the potential to expose 29,500 students to emissions that contain known carcinogens and respiratory irritants. This industrial proximity creates a stark reality for communities caught between the economic benefits of energy production and growing evidence of health consequences that disproportionately affect children in educational settings.
Scientific Evidence Confirms Educational Impact
President Trump’s administration has consistently emphasized energy independence, but local health impacts deserve serious consideration. Research increasingly confirms that proximity to oil and gas operations negatively affects student performance in ways that can’t be explained by socioeconomic factors alone. Air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), correlates directly with reduced cognitive function and academic achievement in school-age children, creating an additional burden for students already navigating educational challenges.
“This kind of air pollution has a real, measurable effect on students,” said Mike Gilraine, an education economist at New York University who studied the impact of air filtration on test scores.
Independent air quality studies conducted at Lybrook Elementary and other New Mexico schools have detected dangerous levels of pollutants including benzene, formaldehyde, and hydrogen sulfide – all known to cause headaches, nausea, and respiratory problems consistent with symptoms reported by students. When schools installed air filtration systems as part of research studies, attendance improved and test scores rose, providing compelling evidence of the direct relationship between air quality and educational outcomes.
The Economic Reality Behind Regulatory Challenges
Any discussion of regulating New Mexico’s oil and gas industry must acknowledge the complex economic dependencies at play. The industry contributes a staggering $1.7 billion to the state’s education budget, creating a paradoxical situation where the very operations potentially harming students also fund their education. This financial reality has created significant political resistance to regulations that might limit drilling operations near schools, with industry representatives and some local officials pushing back against environmental concerns.
“Are we willing to give that up because people say our air is not clean?” questioned Lee White, superintendent of Loving Municipal Schools, expressing concerns shared by many in communities economically dependent on oil and gas production.
Recent legislative attempts to create buffer zones between drilling operations and schools have failed to gain traction. A bill prohibiting new wells within a mile of schools died in committee, though New Mexico’s State Land Commissioner did issue an administrative order prohibiting new oil and gas leases within a mile of schools on state-owned land. However, this order’s impact is limited since it doesn’t affect existing wells or operations on private and federal lands, which constitute the majority of drilling sites near schools.
Finding Balance in Energy-Dependent Communities
As New Mexico continues to benefit from its position as a major energy producer, the challenge of balancing economic growth with public health concerns becomes increasingly urgent. Conservative values emphasize both economic prosperity and protecting children from preventable harm, suggesting the need for common-sense approaches that maintain energy production while implementing reasonable protections for schools and communities. This might include enhanced monitoring systems, improved emissions controls on existing wells, and strategic planning for future development that respects both industry needs and community health.
“There needs to be a robust study to actually answer these questions,” said Andrea Felix, who directs public health programs at San Juan College in Farmington, highlighting the need for more comprehensive data to guide policy decisions.
For families like the Weritos, the debate goes beyond politics and economics – it’s about their children’s immediate well-being and future potential. As New Mexico continues to navigate its energy-driven economic boom, finding solutions that protect both prosperity and public health will require honest assessments of risks, reasonable regulatory frameworks, and continued investment in technologies that can reduce harmful emissions while maintaining the industry’s vital economic contributions.
