ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The Center for Biological Diversity, Oilfield Witness, Citizens Caring for the Future and Youth United for Climate Crisis Action called on New Mexico officials today to impose maximum fines against the state’s top illegal air polluters, Chevron and ExxonMobil.

In a letter to state Environment Department leaders, the groups also said the state needs to meet its legal responsibility to control air pollution, which is “fueling the ongoing ozone health crisis in the Permian Basin.”

“New Mexico’s air pollution crisis is being fueled by two of the richest companies in the world, and our government is just watching it happen,” said Lavran Johnson, an Albuquerque-based attorney at the Center. “It's bad enough that the state rubberstamps permits that let the oil and gas industry legally emit tens of millions of pounds of pollutants each year. The fact that they don’t even bother to enforce required pollution limits shows how unwilling our leaders are to stand up to the industry. These companies have every resource they need to clean up their act, but our government keeps letting them make New Mexicans sick while they cash in.”

According to state data, between October 2024 and September 2025 oil giant Chevron released nearly 1.8 million pounds of illegal air pollution in New Mexico — more than the other top 10 illegal polluters combined. ExxonMobil was the second-worst offender, emitting more than half a million pounds. Together emissions from these corporations accounted for more than 63% of all illegal air pollution in New Mexico during that one-year span.

All of the companies’ illegal emissions occurred in Lea and Eddy counties, in the Permian Basin of southeast New Mexico. Rampant oil and gas pollution there has produced some of the highest ozone levels in the country, forcing residents to breathe unhealthy air.

"We consistently find significant emissions when we visit the oilfields,” said Sharon Wilson, director for Oilfield Witness. “This shouldn’t be a surprise since these companies face no consequences for their actions and continue to choose profits over protecting public health. Regulations without enforcement give the appearance of accountability, but in reality, it’s a dangerous illusion and the people pay the price with their health."

More than 99% of Chevron and Exxon’s illegal emissions were either volatile organic compounds or nitrogen oxides, both major contributors to ozone, commonly called smog. Ozone reduces lung function and can cause lasting lung damage. Many volatile organic compounds are also carcinogenic and dangerous to the organs and nervous system. These illegal releases add to the pollution burden in Eddy and Lea counties, where ozone levels already violate EPA’s health-based standards.

“We all have the right to breathe clean air,” said the Rev. David Wilson Rogers, a board member of Citizens Caring for the Future. “As a pastor and resident in Carlsbad, where air quality doesn’t comply with basic health standards, I’m calling on the Environment Department to enforce the law against big polluters and to give those of us who live close to the oilfields a fighting chance to live healthy lives.”