The operation of gas stations and liquefied petroleum gas (LP-gas) distribution facilities in Mexico faces a challenge significant environmental delay.
This was the result of a diagnosis by the Agency for Security, Energy and Environment (ASEA). about six out of ten installations There is a lack of a current environmental impact permit, which opens the door Risks to ecosystems and population health.
The problem is not limited to facilities that have never processed permits, but also includes those that do work with expired or outdated permissionswhich no longer reflect the real conditions of their activity.
ASEA stated that this situation was a consequence of this Years of fragmented proceduresin which the permits were granted different authorities and under changing regulations.
As a result, numerous energy plants continue to operate without an environmental assessment based on their current impacts.
From an ecological point of view, this means a lack of updating greater chances of soil contamination, impacts to waterways and accumulated risks to surrounding communities to gas stations and storage facilities.
Given this panorama, the Secretariat for Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat)on ASEA, published in Official Gazette of the Federation an agreement to establish a extraordinary, temporary and voluntary environmental regulation program.
The central goal of the program is Sort the status of permissions and reduce environmental risks without replacing usual mechanisms Supervision, inspection and sanction.
The agreement stipulates that ASEA has the option during the regularization process Request additional information, conduct inspections and check environmental conditions of the facilities.
If a impending danger of ecological imbalanceserious damage to natural resources or contamination resulting in dangerous effects on ecosystems or public health, the agency may Apply security measuresregardless of the administrative procedure.
The procedure only applies to natural or legal persons registered in the National Register of Gasoline and Liquefied Gas Installations (RENAGAS).as well as those who applied for their registration before December 17th and whose registration was accepted or have a certificate from the National Environmental Audit Program (PNAA).
Those who are excluded from the program present false informationFace Proceedings for serious environmental crimes or represented pose significant risks to the environment or the population.
Exclusion decisions will be announced via the portal renagas.asea.gob.mx.
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