Nuevo Leon Threatens to Close PEMEX Refinery Following Thick Smog

Nuevo Leon Governor Samuel García emphasized the need for strong sanctions and a possible closure of the Cadereyta refinery, following a visibly thick cloud of smog, which created concerns among the state citizens on March 19. 

Video footage captured by Samuel García showcased thick smoke billowing from the refinery’s flare stacks, which the director of the plant attributed to a technical malfunction of compressors. “This caused the operation of the catalytic plant to get out of control, but that this was already dealt with as an emergency.”

García expressed serious concern about the incident and the pollution that the refinery caused. “I will never defend sources of pollution. On the contrary, I support renewable energy,” he said, before emphasizing the need for stricter actions against PEMEX as the incident is not the first of its kind. Only two weeks ago, the NOC was accused of increased gas flares despite having pledged to stop. "I have asked the minister of the environment to be forceful and apply the law … We have the right to clean air in Nuevo Leon and we are going to impose harsh penalties for this incident.” 

Following this statement, Felix Arratia, Nuevo Leon Minister of the Environment, said that the state monitoring system has warned PEMEX of a possible shut down due to increased air pollution over the past two weeks. However, PEMEX said the incident did not pose any risk to the population as the smog lasted for seven minutes and mainly comprised water vapor and 1% hydrocarbon remnants, which gave the smog a yellow tint.  

According to the National Air Quality Information System (SINAICA), the smoke did not pose a threat to the citizens as the level of emissions in the air was not altered by the incident. Furthermore, PEMEX reported the refinery was fully operational.