New U.S. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson said two importantitems he will be pursuing in his current visits to Venezuela andMexico will be the hemispheric integration of energy policy and thepossibility of a common electric grid. He added it is highlysignificant and symbolic that this first official call on foreigngovernments as Energy Department head will be to the two LatinAmerican nations most important to U.S. energy interests.

Richardson, briefing U.S. and foreign press in both English andSpanish before his departure Monday, said he expects this firstvisit will encompass a broad dialogue. Responding to questionsabout specific petroleum issues with the two nations, Richardsonsaid “we want to see transparency and privatization around theworld….We’re in favor of fair and open competition and a fairshot for our companies.”

But he also indicated he was aware of the sensitivity of some ofthe issues in the politics of each nation and did not want toappear to be interfering in their internal government. “I knowMexico. I have dealt with Mexico on a host of political issuesover the years, I know that one thing you don’t do with Mexico istry to dictate or make strong suggestions. I don’t want tocomplicate matters for Secretary Tellez with any statements where Isuggest a course of action that Mexico might be considering.”

Regarding the possibility for U.S. investment in natural gasproduction in Mexico, Richardson said he believed NAFTA had workedvery well in the natural gas sector. “I’m not coming with anydemands.” He said he knew U.S. companies were interested in Mexicanresources, but “I don’t have any specific initiatives in thatarea,” reminding that it is “my first official visit.”There willbe no company representatives accompanying the new secretary.

Richardson said he wants to work closely with Mexico on climatechange issues. On the agenda are cooperation in energy efficiency,renewable energy and clean power technologies.

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