Documentary highlights pollution from oil and gas in New Mexico

‘The Land of Sacrifice’ examines production in the Permian and San Juan basin

By:Leah Romero-December 15, 20255:58 am

A new documentary from Las Cruces filmmaker Annie Ersinhaus tells the story of the oil and gas industry’s takeover of the Permian and San Juan basins, and the effects fracking over the last decade has had on area communities.

Ersinghaus, 24, grew up in Las Cruces and attended New Mexico State University where she studied filmmaking. Her previous films cover the emotions that come with the release of water in the Rio Grande each summer, water usage in the southwest and other subjects.

Ersinghaus released “The Land of Sacrifice: The Burden of New Mexico’s Oil and Gas Extraction” this fall, melding visuals from oil wells near Carlsbad and Farmington and commentary from residents, environmental advocates and other climate and health experts. Several of the people highlighted in the film also represent New Mexico Land, Air, Water, and the Sacred (NMLAWS), a collective of various organizations and advocates working to hold the state accountable “to its constitutional duty to protect all New Mexicans from oil and gas pollution.” 

NMLAWS organizations are also plaintiffs in the Atencio v. State of New Mexico lawsuit, filed in May 2023, which claims the state is violating the rights of New Mexico residents for a “healthful” environment and protection of natural resources from “oil and gas pollution.” The case was dismissed on appeal, but plaintiffs appealed to the New Mexico Supreme Court. On Nov. 10, the state’s highest court agreed to hear the case. 

The film also points to the upcoming legislative session in January 2026 as an opportunity to pass legislation that would limit oil and gas production near schools. Such proposed legislation failed during previous sessions.

“This documentary is a stark portrait of the price New Mexico communities pay while the fracking industry cashes in,” Gail Evans, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity and who is highlighted in the film, said in a written statement. The Center for Biological Diversity represents NMLAWS in the Atencio lawsuit. “The film makes a strong case for why we need urgent action.”