Jumping Jack Flash…On March 28, Spanish natural gas marketer Gas Natural Fenosa (GNF) said it will invest 1.2 billion pesos (US$60 million) in Mexico, during 2017. GNF will target the states of Sonora and Sinaloa in the northwest and the state of Mexico in the center, building out its natural gas distribution networks. A company spokesperson said GNF expects to add 200,000 customers this year, to complement the 1.7 million it already has signed up in the country. (source: El Economista)

Blue tape, red tape…On March 31, the Mexico City government announced the creation of a commission to coordinate planning and permitting required to build natural gas supply stations. (Distributors must still file for marketing permits with federal authorities.) With the expected increase in the use of natural gas-fueled vehicles for public transit, local authorities are keen to facilitate the deployment of new infrastructure and to ensure safety. (source: Terra)

Crosstown traffic…With the price of gasoline likely to continue its upward trend in the medium term, state-level governments in Mexico are busy promoting the conversion of parts of the public transit fleet to natural gas. On March 15, the state secretaries of Sustainable Development and Transportation of Morelos, just south of Mexico City, announced a plan to invest federal grant funds to convert 3,000 taxis to natural gas. Polluting emissions are expected to decline, but not traffic jams. (source: Terra)