Which has already deteriorated
The director of CERCA (Center for Renewable Energy and Environmental Quality), Jaqueline Valenzuela, has voiced concerns about an ongoing project, emphasizing the urgent need to halt its progress. In the fourth quarter of 2024, Cabo San Lucas recorded “moderate” air quality across the municipality, while San José del Cabo maintained good air quality for only a third of the year. December was particularly alarming for some neighborhoods in Cabo San Lucas, marking the worst air quality on record, described as “unbreathable” due to a fire in La Candelaria.
Cabo San Lucas is already grappling with significant air pollution from multiple sources. The city’s rapid increase in car traffic, coupled with pollution from airplanes and cruise ships, exacerbates the crisis. Additionally, clandestine land-burning practices worsen air quality. Now, the proposed installation of a fossil fuel-burning power plant, designed to generate 240 megawatts of energy for the municipality, threatens to further escalate fixed-source pollution.
“It is very common for these plants to use fuel oil because it is the cheapest; those 240 MW will operate with diesel,” Valenzuela explained. During a meeting with the Federal Energy Commission, officials acknowledged their commitment to transitioning to renewable energy. However, Valenzuela noted disparities in how different entities are treated.
She emphasized that the $370 million investment could be better allocated to environmentally friendly alternatives that would not further degrade the region’s air quality. To prevent the project from advancing to the construction tender phase, she and her team are working to raise awareness about the municipality’s environmental challenges while awaiting feedback from various stakeholders.
“We are collaborating with all sectors because they are the best representatives to voice our concerns, ensuring that the entire population stays informed and can form an opinion,” she stated. Valenzuela concluded by highlighting the positive response they have received, indicating shared concerns within the community—a crucial first step toward action.