US energy secretary to visit Mexico amid power market overhaul concerns

The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy will travel to Mexico this week for talks, said President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Monday.

Secretary Jennifer Granholm is visiting amidst concerns about an energy market overhaul championed by Lopez Obrador that would strengthen government control at the expense of private companies.

The U.S. ambassador has said that Washington has “serious concerns” about the initiative, which will be debated in Mexico’s legislature in the coming weeks.

Lopez Obrador said no topic will be off the table, highlighting possible discussions on his proposed changes during Granholm’s visit, saying he would be happy to "to inform about the reforms if necessary, or if she wants to know my opinion, I will be happy to give it to her."

Mexico’s foreign and energy ministers are also expected to be present.

Granholm is a staunch advocate of President Joe Biden’s green energy policies. She came under fire last November for blaming soaring gas prices on “an energy transition” away from fossil fuels.

The Mexican president said he would also thank Granholm for the U.S approving the takeover of a Royal Dutch Shell refinery in Texas by Mexico’s state oil company, Petroleos Mexicanos, also known as Pemex.