Gail Evans

On Monday, the New Mexico Supreme Court agreed to take up a first-of-its-kind lawsuit that accuses the governor, legislators, and state agencies of failing to protect both the public’s health and the environment from oil and gas industry emissions.

A judge heard arguments on Friday on whether a high-profile environmental lawsuit brought on by the Center of Biological Diversity, WildEarth Guardians and several frontline Native American communities should go to trial.

An association of petroleum producers and the Chamber of Commerce sued to join the case.

A historic and first-of-its-kind constitutional lawsuit accusing the state of New Mexico of failing to curb increasing air pollution is facing its first major hearing Friday as several groups petition the court to allow them to intervene in the case.