Throughout 2012 we have issued a series of reports on the general topic of WHAT SHOULD ___ TELL THE NEXT GOVERNMENT? Reports of this type have been issued for CRE, CNH and PMI. Others are still in the oven.
The report on WHAT SHOULD THE ENERGY MINISTRY TELL THE NEXT GOVERNMENT will be published shortly. In the process of preparing this report I was asked to write, in Spanish, the text for an online article in LETRAS LIBRES. My critique of SENER, in some 2,000 words, may be read by clicking the link: http://www.letraslibres.com/blogs/serial/doce-anos-despues-sener?page=full.
I welcome such opportunities to reach out to a broader audience with theses critiques. Also, I particularly appreciate the opportunity to exercise another literary voice, one that is closer to the sensibilities of Mexican readers than the “Houston English” of our regular reports in MEXICO ENERGY INTELLIGENCE. I say “much closer” not only because the language is Spanish, but because of a certain intimacy of expression that draws on an appreciation of Mexican history and culture.
Several years ago I was an occasional columnist for REFORMA. Several of the columns took the form of a dialogue between Pedro and Pepito, two peasants from the countryside. In a column published in late 2008 or early 2009 Pepito asks, “How much money did we earn for blocking part of the energy reform?” Pedro then goes to list all the money that they would make from special interests whose business franchise was protected from reform.
The final section of the present article I take the imaginary voice of someone who is being interviewed for the job of Energy Minister by the president-elect of Mexico. The speaker makes his acceptance contingent on the president-elect sharing his views about the energy sector. Several big ideas are put forth:
- Mexico needs a new energy patriotism.
- Pemex needs to be able to associate with other companies in Mexican and international waters.
- The government should seek opportunities to allow for market price signals in the energy sector (as distinct from the system of government prices).
- Mexico needs to encourage entrepreneurial activities in the energy sector from below.
- The National Energy Narrative needs to change.
Comments are invited.
