2 days ago
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Donald Trump’s second presidential term could derailed efforts to address severe ozone pollution in New Mexico’s oil-rich Permian Basin, leaving communities exposed to harmful air quality.
Jerry Redfern reports for Capital & Main.
In short:
- Federal action to address excessive ozone levels in the Permian Basin, which includes parts of New Mexico and Texas, was abandoned following Trump’s reelection.
- The EPA had signaled plans to designate New Mexico’s section of the basin as noncompliant with Clean Air Act standards, but those plans were shelved.
- Locals, including environmental advocates, blame both federal and state governments for failing to take necessary steps to protect public health.
Key quote:
“This nonattainment zone should have been declared months ago … There was more than enough proof to say, ‘Hey, things are not great in this area.’”
— Jozee Zuñiga, resident of Loving, NM
Why this matters:
Ongoing pollution in the Permian Basin contributes to respiratory illnesses, cancers and degraded quality of life for nearby residents, particularly children and the elderly. Without federal enforcement, state-level actions may be insufficient to mitigate environmental and health risks from one of the country’s most productive oilfields.
Related: Drilling in Permian Basin linked to high ozone levels in a New Mexico national park
