U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry Meeting With Mexican President

MEXICO CITY — Mexico and the United States have a tight energy relationship. Most of Mexico’s natural gas comes from the United States, and American states like California and Texas rely on Mexican power.

Energy Secretary Rick Perry was visiting Mexico City on Thursday to meet with his Mexican counterpart, Pedro Joaquín Coldwell, as well as President Enrique Peña Nieto, to discuss energy reforms in Mexico.

There’s a longstanding agreement to buy electricity in some border regions, something both countries want to expand on.

“Mexico and the United States are highly integrated, very dynamic energy powerhouse by themselves,” said Jonathan Pinzón, an energy expert in Mexico City and partner in Zumma consulting firm.

According to Pinzón, the secretary’s visit to Mexico will help develop projects that Perry himself witnessed as governor of a border state. The three key aspects in the relationship between Mexico and the U.S. on energy are oil, natural gas and electric power.

“There’s currently discussions about a new electric interconnection between Sonora and Arizona, where it makes more sense to have a more direct and more constant trading power,” Pinzón said.

Mexico’s energy reform will attract more U.S. investors, as piped oil and gas continue their flow from American soil.

This story is from the Fronteras Desk, a collaboration of Southwestern public radio stations, including NPR 89.1. Read more from the Fronteras Desk.