CFE coal plants in Coahuila face corruption and quality allegations

Federal Deputy Ricardo Mejía Berdeja has raised allegations of corruption and mismanagement regarding the coal supply for the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) coal-fired power plants in Nava, Coahuila. Specifically, the José López Portillo and Carbón II plants are reportedly receiving low-quality coal, which Mejía Berdeja claims is causing significant environmental damage and pollution in the regions of Cinco Manantiales and Piedras Negras.

The legislator alleged that the contract allocation process has been influenced by favoritism, claiming that contracts were distributed to intermediaries and individuals lacking experience in the coal industry. He specifically linked these irregularities to Coahuila Governor Manolo Jiménez Salinas, suggesting that the distribution of approximately 7.9 million tons of coal has benefited political associates.

Mejía Berdeja has called on CFE Director General Emilia Calleja Alor and Energy Secretary Luz Elena González Escobar to review supply contracts and verify that the mineral meets required specifications. He also warned that the use of low-quality fuel may be forcing plants to burn diesel to maintain combustion, further exacerbating ecological damage in the region.