Ebrard Asks US To Understand Electric Reform

Mexican Chancellor Marcelo Ebrard asked US representatives to fully understand the electric reform proposed by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador before defining their position toward it. Ebrards’s request comes after US Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar shared “serious concerns” regarding the proposed amendments.

“There is a dialogue with Ambassador Ken because we agree, especially now that we have been in constant communication, that before a position that does not have the information from the Mexican government is established, it is important to hear what the electric reform is and what it is not,” said Ebrard.

As reported by MBN, on Oct. 20, over 20 representatives at the US Congress sent an open letter to Ken Salazar where they brought forward complaints against the changes that would come about with the reform. Representatives claimed that the reform will “restrict the market share of private power generators and favor Mexico’s state-owned utility company.” Furthermore, they added that the reform “discriminates against American energy producers.”

The US Congressmen urged their ambassador to share with the Mexican government their concerns about the future of US investments in the energy sector. They also warned of possible violations of Mexico’s international commitments and the USMCA.

Ebrard has responded that both countries are keeping a close and constant dialogue so that the northern neighbor can understand the reform deeply and better.

Mexican Minister of Energy Rocío Nahle held a meeting with Ambassador Salazar on Wednesday to understand the US government’s position toward the reform. Salazar came out of it stating that further discussions will be held.

“Today I held important meetings with the Government of Mexico to discuss the energy reform. I want to learn more about the momentum of this constitutional reform. I expressed serious concerns from the US. We pledged to continue the dialogue on this critical issue in the coming days," said Salazar.

Ebrard stated that these reunions also help listen and understand the concerns of the North American region. “To see which of those approaches are understandable, reasonable and which are unfounded or otherwise resolved," he said.