Energy Department Shuts Down LP Gas Companies

(Acapulco, El Sur 28 February) The Federal Department of Energy (SENER) shut down seven LP gas outlets in Acapulco for lack of permits and disregard of safety regulations. Responding to a private complaint, personnel of the LP Gas Directorate of SENER made verification visits to several Acapulco LP Gas refilling stations over February 3 and 4. As a result, the government has ordered the closure of seven stations in Acapulco, each with a capacity of 5,000-10,000 liters. This amounts to three quarters of the installed LP filling capacity in the port city.

Four of the seven operations were plainly illegal, having never obtained the required operating permits. Two of them engaged in parallel activities not permitted by the regulations and inconsistent with safe operation. One plainly was ignoring the requirements for safe operation. The next stage in the process is the imposition of fines. LP stations will not be permitted to reopen until they have complied completely with the permitting process and other legal requirements for operation.