Mexican energy regulator labels natural gas ‘clean’

Mexico’s Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) announced on Friday that it will revise the standards for measuring the energy efficiency of power plants. Electricity produced by some natural gas-fired cogeneration plants will be considered clean electricity if it meets certain requirements, the CRE said. The approach, however, has drawn criticism from environmentalists who say Mexican regulators are sanctioning processes and fuels that pollute, pose health risks and contribute to global warming.

Mexico’s climate change law sets a goal of getting 35 percent of the country’s electricity from clean sources by 2024.