A recent visit to the Sinclair Navajo Refinery in Artesia, New Mexico, a facility with a history of pollution violations — despite being located a few hundred feet from an elementary school — revealed ongoing emissions. This visit was part of an informational field tour I organized for some of the field staff from the offices of U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján and Martin Heinrich, as well as community members eager to understand emissions from the refinery.
Utilizing an optical gas imaging camera, we were able to visualize the emissions emanating from the facility, and it quickly became apparent that every stack in site was releasing uncombusted and/or partially combusted pollutants into the air.
Emissions from the Sinclair Refinery in Artesia
The Sinclair Navajo Refinery has a troubling history concerning its compliance with environmental regulations in New Mexico. On January 17, 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Justice (DOJ), and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) reached a settlement agreement with Sinclair due to multiple violations of the Clean Air Act and the New Mexico Air Quality Control Act. These violations were reported to involve “excess emissions of hazardous air pollutants,” including benzene, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and sulfur dioxides (SO2). These pollutants are not only harmful to the environment but are also associated with both short- and long-term health consequences for the community.
As part of the settlement, Sinclair has to pay $35 million in civil penalties and invest approximately $137 million in compliance measures aimed at remediating these violations. Despite these measures, it is concerning that emissions were documented again on April 9th and 10th of this year, less than three months after the settlement announcement.
One of the most alarming aspects of this refinery is its location. Situated less than a mile from downtown Artesia, the refinery is only a few hundred feet away from an elementary school, housing subdivisions, businesses, and a public park. The potential impact of these emissions on the health of local residents, particularly children, cannot be overstated. The proximity of such a facility raises significant concerns about the efficacy of regulatory measures in protecting public health.
Emissions from the Sinclair Refinery in Artesia
It is critical for our communities to remain vigilant and informed about environmental issues associated with industrial facilities like the Sinclair Refinery. Advocacy for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations is essential to ensure that the health and safety of our community members are prioritized.
Call to Action
We urge community members to stay engaged and informed regarding environmental concerns in our communities, advocating for transparency and accountability from industrial operators. Together, we can foster a healthier environment and demand a future where our public health is prioritized over industrial interests.
Further Reading
Montero‐Montoya, R., López‐Vargas, R., & Arellano‐Aguilar, O. (2018). Volatile organic compounds in air: sources, distribution, exposure and associated illnesses in children. Annals of Global Health, 84(2), 225-238. https://doi.org/10.29024/aogh.910
https://www.artesianews.com/holly-frontier-sinclair-agrees-to-172m-settlement-at-artesia-refinery/
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/22/climate/epa-pollution-enforcement.html
