NMED issues enforcement action against Cannon AFB for PFAS spill

The state is seeking an explanation from a U.S. Air Force Base in western New Mexico as to why the New Mexico Environment Department shouldn’t revoke its operating permit after the illegal discharge of toxic chemicals.

NMED on Tuesday issued an enforcement action against Cannon Air Force base for a PFAS spill in August 2024. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, can cause cancer and are commonly found in firefighting foams.

NMED Secretary James Kenney said “basic maintenance” could’ve prevented the release of 7,300 gallons of toxic PFAS firefighting foam wastewater into a damaged retention pond in August 2024.

“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. ... 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,” Kenney said in a statement.

Cannon is committed to preventing future events from happening, according to Cannon spokesperson Jaclyn Pienkowski.

“As a military institution serving the community, we have a responsibility to protect and preserve our environment. Since discovering the release, Cannon has transparently communicated to the public and NMED regarding the incident, follow-on investigation, testing and pending remedial action plan,” Pienkowski told the Journal.

The August 2024 spill is on top of a “history of noncompliance,” according to the administrative compliance order NMED filed. New Mexico and the U.S. Department of Defense have been going back and forth for years on the extent of PFAS contamination in and around Clovis, and how best to remediate it.

At one point, PFAS contamination resulted in the euthanizing of 3,500 dairy cows poisoned from drinking contaminated groundwater, according to NMED.

In the case of the August 2024 spill, Cannon violated its permit conditions by neglecting maintenance of the retention pond and failing to notify the state of the spill in a timely manner, according to NMED.

The state’s enforcement order additionally requires Cannon to prevent further contamination through immediate corrective action, provide an account of all PFAS-contaminated rinsate, both past and present, and pay a $98,780 fine for its permit violations.