The energy reform in Mexico and its impact on land occupation for the utilisation of energy resources

La reforma energética en México y su impacto en la ocupación superficial para el aprovechamiento de los recursos energéticos

The activities of the energy sector, specifically in the exploration and extraction of hydrocarbons must be performed under the criteria of social equity, productivity and sutainability, which requires a solid constitutional framework to regulate the land occupation use for the execution of projects in the energy sector, since there are principles that must be considered, among which the following stand out: the use of land is temporary in some projects; communities oftenly are affected by a period of time longer than the estimated time required to carry out the actual use of the land; during the land use activities the affected natural resources must be preserved, land must be restored to its original condition or to an adequate alternative condition after the activity of land occupation has concluded and any land use activity has the potential to affect the environment, either positively or negatively.   A description of the possible adverse environmental impacts from planning to the completion of the activity must be given. After five years of the implementation of the energy reform, it is essential to evaluate the scope and deficiencies regarding land occupation and social impact issues, subsequent to the execution of projects in the specific contractual areas.