Mexico issues 550 fuel retailing permits ahead of new regulation
Only 550 fuel retailers have been granted a permit by the Regulatory Energy Commission (CRE in its Spanish acronyms) to continue operating after January 1, 2016 out of the 11,313 current owners of Petroleros Mexicanos (Pemex) franchised gas stations.
Four months away from the deadline to renew Mexico´s retailing permits, only 4.8% have been given the go-ahead by the CRE. This is part of the recent Mexican energy reform which includes the obligation of owners and operators to have a retailing permit issued by the CRE from the start of next year.
“According to the law, from the 1st of January of 2016, Pemex will not be able to supply gas stations which do not possess a CRE permit,” said the president of CRE, Francisco Salazar Díez, in a statement.
In an ordinary session, CRE´s board members approved the issue of 550 fuel retailing permits for gas stations operators. They will all be able to continue working legally after the end of this year.
The additional step of bureaucracy is part of the Government´s campaign to reduce the number of irregular gas station operators and have stricter control over the fuel distributing market.
