The CBI and Texas A&M University School of Law Partner to Host a Panel on: Energy Infrastructure in the North American Region
The Center for Binational Institutions (CBI) and Texas A&M University School of Law (TAMU Law) recently partnered to host a panel on Energy Infrastructure in the North American Region during TAMU Law’s 12th Annual Energy Law Symposium.
The panelists shed light on pressing issues regarding energy infrastructure in the region, offering potential solutions and opportunities. Guillermo García Sánchez, the CBI Non-resident Fellow and Professor at TAMU Law, moderated the panel. The panelists included James Coleman from SMU Dedman School of Law, Julia González Romero from the Mexico Council of Foreign Affairs, Jennifer Pierce from TransCanada Energy Mexico, and Pablo Zárate from FTI Consulting.
One of the key takeaways from the panel was the pressing demand to expand transmission lines in the region. The panelists commented on the difficulty that the US faces in building interstate infrastructure, including pipelines and extending the grid. They noted that expanding transmission lines internally in both the US and Mexico would help improve the energy grid’s efficiency and ensure power is distributed evenly throughout the region. The panelists also discussed the need to fortify the energy grid in Mexico, emphasizing that this pressing issue needs to be urgently addressed to ensure an uninterrupted power supply. Another point that emerged from the panel was the call to address the gap in energy access between North Mexico and South Mexico, with the north being better served than the south. Despite the challenges facing the Mexican energy industry, the panelists expressed optimism toward investment in Mexico.
The region is in great demand for energy infrastructure, and there are opportunities for investors to tap into this demand. The pannelists noted that binational infrastructure along the US-Mexico border has not been sufficiently expanded to benefit both countries, despite opportunities to exchange energy between the countries and use energy more efficiently in the competitive region. These issues highlight the need for cross-border collaboration and investment in energy infrastructure to support a more reliable and efficient energy system in the North American region.
The panelists also stressed the importance of NearShoring, a trend where companies relocate production to nearby countries to reduce costs and increase efficiency, ultimately enhancing national security.
Finally, the panelists observed that the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) works for the energy relationship, although no specific energy chapter exists. They suggested that a joint institutional mechanism focusing on energy would further strengthen the energy relationship between the US, Mexico, and Canada.
In conclusion, the panel on Energy Infrastructure in the North American Region highlighted the need to address the industry’s challenges. The panelists emphasized the importance of fortifying the energy grid, addressing the disparity in energy access, and expanding transmission lines. They also expressed optimism toward regional investment and stressed the importance of NearShoring. Overall, the insights shared during the panel provide valuable guidance for policymakers and investors looking to tap into the opportunities available in the North American energy sector.
