COUNSELOR, N.M. (AP) – In March, Billton Werito drove his son Amari toward their home in Counselor, New Mexico, navigating a bumpy dirt road surrounded by natural gas pipelines and wellheads. Amari, a sixth-grader, was unable to attend school due to nausea and headaches, symptoms he often experiences when he detects a “rotten egg with propane” smell from nearby gas wells. This issue affects not only Amari but also his younger brother, who frequently misses school for similar reasons.
According to Billton, the repeated illnesses are concerning, especially as the children risk falling behind academically. Lybrook Elementary School, where approximately 70 Navajo students study, is situated in the San Juan Basin, a significant oil and gas zone. While drilling activities have brought economic benefits to the region, including job creation and increased school funding from oil and gas royalties, they may also pose health risks to local students.
An analysis by the Associated Press identified 694 oil and gas wells with active permits located within one mile of schools in New Mexico. Approximately 29,500 students across 74 educational institutions may be exposed to hazardous emissions that result from natural gas extraction processes. The data revealed that only 6% of students at Lybrook achieved proficiency in math, with even lower standards in science and reading.
Poverty and socioeconomic conditions may partly explain the low academic performance observed in these areas. However, research indicates that air pollution, particularly from fossil fuels, directly hinders student learning regardless of economic factors. An additional analysis found many schools near oil and gas operations are in low-income areas with significant Native American and Hispanic populations.
Mike Gilraine, an economist studying the ties between air quality and educational achievement, remarked on the measurable impact of air pollution on students. In a 2024 study co-authored by Gilraine, student test scores correlated closely with levels of PM2.5 pollution, with higher levels linked to declining performance. Conversely, reduced air pollution levels corresponded to improvements in academic outcomes and attendance.
While the transition to natural gas has led to cleaner air nationally and improved student achievement, air quality data specific to New Mexico remains limited, despite the state’s booming natural gas production. Only 20 permanent air monitors exist in the state, primarily in areas without drilling activity.
Independent studies have shed light on the air quality near schools, particularly in Lybrook, where air monitoring indicated elevated levels of harmful pollutants, including benzene, which poses serious health risks. Following a health impact assessment in 2021, it was found that over 90% of surveyed residents suffered from various ailments, attributed to the pollutants released from surrounding gas wells.
Local community leader Daniel Tso emphasized the need for a safe environment for children, expressing concern over the toxicity of the air around Lybrook Elementary School. He highlighted that even visitors to the area experience headaches after short exposures to the gas well emissions, raising concerns about what students endure daily.
Despite the health risks associated with nearby oil and gas operations, many communities are reluctant to challenge the industry due to its economic contributions. In the last fiscal year, oil and gas revenue accounted for $1.7 billion in K-12 funding in New Mexico. School officials, such as Loving Superintendent Lee White, recognize the financial benefits provided by the industry, which funds various school improvements even as they question concerns raised regarding air quality.
Environmental advocates and residents are pushing for stricter regulations on drilling near schools. In 2023, New Mexico State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard issued an order to prohibit new oil and gas leases on state land within a mile of schools, a decision met with industry backlash citing potential operational challenges. However, data suggests that only about 1% of oil and gas wells would be impacted by such restrictions.
Advocates have been actively pursuing further legislative measures to limit drilling near educational institutions, though recent attempts to introduce such a bill in the New Mexico legislature did not succeed. Additionally, residents have initiated a lawsuit against the state for inadequate pollution controls, which remains in the courts.
