The state of New Mexico has ignored its constitutional duty to protect its people, land, air, water, and resources from pollution caused by extractive industries. Instead, our state has become a leading producer of oil and gas, and the consequences are dire for our people, environment, and the growing climate catastrophe. 

          The NM LAWS (New Mexico Land, Air, Water, and the Sacred) coalition is taking unprecedented action by suing New Mexico, the state legislature, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and state agencies. The first-of-its-kind lawsuit seeks compliance with the pollution control clause of the New Mexico Constitution under Article 20, Section 21. No previous lawsuit has targeted the 1971 amendment, which mandates that the state prevent the despoilment of New Mexico’s air, water, and other natural resources, and protect the state’s beautiful and healthful environment.

          Despite this, oil production in New Mexico’s Permian Basin, one of the largest oilfields in the world, has increased nearly ten-fold since 2010, leading to a surge of devastating air, water, and climate pollution. The lawsuit demands that the state comply with its constitutional duty to protect New Mexico’s environment, and that permitting of oil and gas wells be suspended in the meantime.