Organized Environmental Irresponsibility In Mexico

Toxic spills by Mexico's oil company, Pemex have turned a coastal area into 'one of the most contaminated regions in the world.'

1 minute read

January 16, 2005, 11:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen

"The kind of accidents that caused last month's spill are routine events in Mexico's oil patch. Here in Veracruz state, there are on average 100 "environmental emergencies" each year, according to Greenpeace Mexico. Two-thirds involve breaks or explosions in the corroded and outmoded pipeline network owned by Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, the state-owned oil monopoly.

...But environmentalists and other public interest groups say Pemex's problems are more complex, embedded in its corporate culture of "organized irresponsibility," as local biologist Lorenzo Bozada put it.

...But any public pressure on Pemex to make improvements is limited because it is shielded from legal challenges by a judicial system that favors the government over citizens..."

Thanks to Chris Steins

FULL STORY: Black Gold Leaves a Stain on Mexican Coastal Region

Wednesday, October 26, 2005 in The Los Angeles Times

Environment Government / Politics Mexico

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