The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, assured that any possible project for the exploitation of unconventional gas in the country will be subject to social consultation, with the aim of avoiding decisions that affect communities. During her morning conference on Wednesday, April 15, the head of state emphasized that her government will not impose energy projects without the consent of the affected population. Social consultation, central to the project “We are never going to override any community,” stated Sheinbaum when explaining that after technical studies, a dialogue and consultation process will be opened for the decision to be collective. The president detailed that specialists will first analyze the feasibility of exploiting gas in different regions of the country, and only if it is feasible, will they move on to the social phase. She even proposed hypothetical scenarios, such as possible zones in the north of the country where there are no nearby populations, although she stressed that any project must have the approval of the communities. Avoiding past mistakes Sheinbaum recalled previous experiences in Mexico, such as the development of wind farms in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, where—she said—the projects were carried out without an adequate consultation process, which generated social rejection. “Many times we talk about clean energy and dirty businesses, due to the way the process was built,” she pointed out. In this sense, she highlighted that her administration seeks to avoid this type of conflict, prioritizing dialogue and community participation from the start. Energy, sovereignty, and the environment The head of state reiterated that Mexico faces the challenge of reducing its energy dependence, as a large part of the gas it consumes comes from abroad. However, she clarified that the analysis of new sources, such as unconventional gas, does not mean ignoring environmental impacts. Sheinbaum explained that currently, technologies are being evaluated that would allow for mitigating damage, such as the use of biodegradable chemicals and water recycling, although she acknowledged that no human activity is free of environmental impact. Collective decision for the future Finally, the president stressed that the objective is to find a balance between energy sovereignty, sustainable development, and social justice. She reiterated that her government will not close the door to new energy alternatives, but it will not allow schemes to be repeated where communities are left out of decision-making. “It is a collective job,” she concluded.
