Watts Up in Mexico? A Spark of Change Ignites Energy Policy
Mexico's Energy Commission proposes guaranteeing electricity as a human right in the constitution and urges stricter regulations on oil and gas measurement. They also highlight energy-saving initiatives.
The Energy Commission, chaired by Congressman Manuel Rodríguez González (Morena), issued a positive opinion to the initiative of the Federal Executive, which reforms articles 25, 27 and 28 of the Political Constitution, on the strategic industries of the State. In addition, it approved the opinion on a proposal with a point of agreement regarding the measurement of hydrocarbons.
By 15 votes in favor and 10 against, he endorsed his opinion on the reference initiative, which establishes that the opinion will be the responsibility of the Constitutional Points Commission, and considers it pertinent that the points of view of the members of the Energy Commission be included in the considerations, to strengthen its foundation.
Points out that, based on the opinions and arguments expressed in the exercise of Open Parliament through the National Dialogues, which were carried out throughout the national territory, it is of vital importance to elevate access to electrical energy to constitutional status as a human right, because for a dignified life it is a fundamental and interdependent requirement, that is, it is directly related to basic human rights.
In this sense, the Commission believes that it should be reflected in article 4 of the Constitution, as stated in the opinion of the united commissions of Constitutional Points and Energy, with a draft decree reforming articles 4, 25, 27 and 28 of the Political Constitution, regarding energy, and access to electrical energy, which was approved in joint commissions on April 11, 2022. The opinion was sent to the Constitutional Points Commission for appropriate purposes.
Point of Agreement
Likewise, by 26 votes in favor, zero against and zero abstentions, the opinion on the proposal was approved with a point of agreement to urge the Energy Regulatory Commission to supervise compliance with the regulation regarding the measurement of hydrocarbons, both of the technical experts from the accreditation entities, and from the verifiers of the volumetric controls inspection units and who have the minimum necessary technical skills.
Furthermore, it calls on the Ministry of Economy to take the necessary measures so that the technical experts and inspectors of the accreditation entities and the inspection units for the volumetric control program of hydrocarbons and petroleum products, based on annexes 30 and 31 of the fiscal miscellany, comply with the highest standards of quality and professionalism in their operations, including the review and updating of accreditation criteria, and the strengthening of supervision and control processes.
In addition, to implement effective sanctions for those who do not comply with their obligations, as well as include the National Metrology Center (Cenam) in the evaluation, training and accreditation process, both of accreditation entities and inspection units.
The point of agreement also requires the Tax Administration System to modify Annex 31, section 31.2, the verification process for equipment and information programs to carry out volumetric controls, in such a way that it establishes as a validity requirement for the reports or opinions that have been issued by an accredited hydrocarbon measurement verification unit, provided that Cenam has participated in the certification of both.
Likewise, the SAT is urged not to renew the extension granted to taxpayers obliged not to comply with the volumetric control program for hydrocarbons and petroleum products, based on annexes 30 and 31 of the fiscal miscellany, and to sanction those who fail to comply with their volumetric control obligations.
Main FIDE programs
Subsequently, the general director of the Electric Energy Savings Trust (FIDE), Raúl Talan Ramírez, was received, who presented his programs and actions.
He said that its objectives are to implement public policies for the rational use of electrical energy and influence the habits of the population, provide energy saving services to consumers that result in collective benefit, assist with the CFE in these tasks and spread the culture of saving and efficient use of energy
He mentioned that they have implemented education programs in energy efficiency, inefficient lighting to change incandescent lamps, replacement of low efficiency motors in the industrial sector, replacement of household appliances, technology integration for efficient water management and other efficiency and energy sustainability in municipalities and hospitals.
