Gas companies warn of safety risks following court ruling on service reconnections

The Association of Natural Gas Companies (AGN) has warned of potential security risks following a ruling by the Constitutional Court regarding service reconnections in disaster zones. The court rejected an executive request, upholding a provision in the Law for National Reconstruction and Economic and Social Development that mandates the free reconnection of basic services for households and small to medium-sized enterprises in declared catastrophe areas.

The law requires electricity and gas supplies to be restored within 48 hours, and sanitary services within 24 hours. AGN executive president Carlos Cortés Simon stated that the 48-hour mandate for gas is “impossible to comply with while safeguarding the safety of all people,” noting that technical verifications of internal and external networks are essential to prevent leaks, poisonings, or explosions.

The association cited a report from Gamma Ingenieros highlighting the tension between strict legal deadlines and necessary safety protocols required before restoring gas supply.