Energy Commission Helping To Increase Collaboration Between Mexico and California

The partnership on expanding opportunities between Mexico and California continues to flourish since a 2014 agreement was signed to promote cooperation on clean energy policy between the two governments.

Officials from the Mexican Consulate in Sacramento, researchers involved in California-Mexico clean energy efforts and a representative of the Mexican Ministry of Energy recently met with California Energy Commission staff to share updates and discuss new ideas on projects that can benefit both sides of the border.

“We need to use this opportunity to imagine where collaborations can go,” said Energy Commissioner Andrew McAllister. “Both places have an incredible depth of intellectual resources and a group of proactive stakeholders who understand the issues that need developing and are predisposed to look for solutions.”

The May 1 meeting is part of a memorandum of understanding agreement that Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. and Mexican Ministry of Energy Secretary Pedro Joaquín Coldwell signed in 2014. The agreement promotes cooperation between the two governments to implement programs in low-carbon energy, clean technologies, biofuels, and energy efficiency.

California represents only 1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, but its leadership demonstrates that it is possible to reduce carbon emissions and grow the economy.

Attendees from the meeting included representatives from the Mexican Ministry of Energy (Secretaría de Energía), California Lighting Technology Center at the University of California, Davis, the Autonomous University of Guadalajara (Universidad Autónama de Guadalajara), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Binational Laboratory in Mexico, and Tech de Monterrey.

Researchers discussed ongoing efforts to create joint California-Mexico research centers focusing on energy efficiency measures such as efficient lighting. The centers are funded by the Mexican government as part of a request for proposals on building energy efficiency that the Energy Commission helped review.

Liliana Ferrer, the Consul General of the Mexican Consulate in Sacramento, said the guidance from the Energy Commission has helped increase the opportunities for clean energy. “We need to take full advantage of this opportunity and there’s no better example than this wonderful disposition and willingness,” she said.

The Energy Commission also has MOU agreements with the states of Aguascalientes and Jalisco to collaborate on clean energy policies and programs.

McAllister, who is the lead commissioner on energy efficiency, and Comisión Nacional para el Uso Eficiente de la Energía Director General Odón de Buen, who leads energy efficiency policy for Mexico, are scheduled to participate in a June 1 webinar to discuss recent updates and future collaborations.

California Energy Commissioner Andrew McAllister (far right) engages with Mexican officials, including Consul General Liliana Ferrer of the Mexican Consulate of Sacramento (far left).