New Mexico targets Air Force Base over release of “forever” chemical

The Air Force is now a target of environmental efforts of the state of New Mexico, which this week issued an action against Cannon Air Force Base for releasing “forever” chemicals in August of last year.

The New Mexico Environment Department has issued an enforcement action against Cannon Air Force Base (AFB) after the illegal discharge of hazardous PFAS chemicals in August 2024. The incident involved the release of 7,300 gallons of toxic PFAS firefighting foam wastewater into a damaged retention pond, further threatening local groundwater and public health.

The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is requiring the Air Force to justify why its operating permit should not be revoked, citing repeated violations and failure to protect New Mexico’s residents from toxic and hazardous wastes.

“This reckless discharge is an example of Cannon AFB’s willful disregard for public health and environmental safety in the exact community in which they operate,” said Environment Secretary James Kenney. “Basic maintenance could have prevented this spill. The Air Force must now prove why the state should allow Cannon AFB to continue operating in Clovis if they cannot meet the basic conditions of their permit.”

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are toxic, cancer-causing chemicals commonly used in firefighting foams. These substances are linked to health risks and long-term environmental contamination. Cannon AFB’s failure to inspect the retention pond allowed contaminated rinsate — or liquid containing toxic chemicals — to seep into the ground and endanger the nearby aquifer.

This discharge is in addition to the PFAS groundwater plume extending approximately four miles southeast of Cannon AFB. This toxic plume continues to threaten the community and resulted in the euthanizing of 3,500 dairy cows poisoned from drinking contaminated groundwater — devastating local agriculture. That release is currently the subject of multiple lawsuits seeking to hold the U.S. Department of Defense accountable. To date, NMED has spent more than $12 million in legal and technical costs on the lawsuits.

Cannon AFB violated its state permit conditions by neglecting to maintain the retention pond properly and by failing to notify NMED of the spill within the required 24-hour window.

In addition to justifying its permit, NMED’s enforcement order requires Cannon AFB to:

  • Prevent further contamination of soil and groundwater through immediate correction actions
  • Provide a detailed account of all PFAS-contaminated rinsate present or previously present at the base, and
  • Pay a $98,780 fine to the hazardous waste emergency response fund for permit violations.

Cannon AFB must respond to NMED’s enforcement action and pay the civil penalty within 30 days or request a hearing.

A copy of the enforcement action is attached and linked here.