LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

Energy ADVISOR

A daily publication Of the dialogue

March 8, 2024

What Would a Ban on Coal Mining Mean for Colombia?

Colombia’s ministry of energy and mines has proposed a bill that would ban all new coal mining and any future exploration. The nation’s Congress will decide if the bill will become law. // File Photo: Government of Colombia.

Q

A

Carlos St. James, member of the Advisory Committee of the Latin American and Caribbean Council on Renewable Energy (LAC-CORE): “At first glance, Colombia’s proposed bill seems a bold reach toward environmental commitments. It’s the kind of thing that makes investors look kindly toward an emerging economy and makes its president seem to be a new global leader. But it would look better if the bill didn’t include the word ‘expropriation,’ which immediately scares off those same investors, and if it didn’t come across as melodramatic by banning all coal contracts and exploration. Colombia is the world’s fifth-largest coal exporter (oddly enough most of it going to Europe these days because of its shortage of natural gas). It generates a lot of hard currency: coal generated over $1 billion in exports in 2023, and the sector is among the most important for the…”

Top News

Mexican State Closes Pemex Refinery Over Inspection
Officials in Nuevo León on March 1 said they had closed a Pemex refinery for failing to comply with environmental inspections.
Exxon Seeks Arbitration in Dispute Over Guyana Block
Exxon Mobil has filed for arbitration to protect what it says are its pre-emption rights to a Guyanese oil block, Senior Vice President Neil Chapman said Wednesday.
Lithium Demand Will Boost U.S. Exports From Chile: Yellen
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on March 2 said that growing demand for lithium would significantly increase U.S. imports from Chile in the coming years. // File Photo: White House.

Complete editions of the Energy Services Advisor are delivered on a biweekly basis to members of the Dialogue’s Corporate Program and other subscribers. Sign up below for a free complimentary preview subscription.

ABOUT THE Energy ADVISOR

A sister publication of the Inter-American Dialogue’s daily Latin America Advisor, the weekly Energy Advisor captures fresh analysis from business leaders and government officials on the most important developments in oil and gas, biofuels, the power sector, renewables, new technologies, and the policy debates shaping the future of energy in the Western Hemisphere and beyond. To subscribe or for more information, contact Gene Kuleta, editor of the Advisor, at gkuleta@thedialogue.org.

Subscribers

Staff

Gene Kuleta
Editor
P. 202.463.2920
E. gkuleta@thedialogue.org

Carl David
Goette-Luciak
Reporter

Nili Blanck
Reporter

board of advisors

Nigel Blackaby
Global Head, International Arbitration Group,
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

Jimena Blanco
Chief Analyst,
Verisk Maplecroft

María José Cortés
Head of ESG,
Atlas Renewable Energy

Jeffrey Davidow
Senior Counselor,
The Cohen Group

Analia Gonzalez
Leader, Arbitration & Litigation,
Laitn America, BakerHostetler

Jonathan C. Hamilton
Partner,
White & Case

Raul Herrera
Partner, Corporate &
Securities Practice,
Arnold & Porter

James R. Jones
Chairman,
Monarch Global Strategies

Jorge Kamine
Partner, Corporate &
Financial Services,
Willkie Farr & Gallagher

Craig A. Kelly
Senior Director,
Int’l Government Relations,
Exxon Mobil

Jeremy Martin
Director,
Energy Program,
Institute of the Americas

Larry Pascal
Chairman, Americas
Practice Group,
Haynes & Boone

R. Kirk Sherr
President,
Clearview Strategy Group

Daniela Stevens
Director,
Energy Transition and Climate Program,
Inter-American Dialogue

Doris Rodríguez
Partner,
Hunton Andrews Kurth

Alexandra Valderrama
Director,
International Government
Affairs, Chevron

Subscribe To
Latin America Advisors

* indicates required field

The Inter-American Dialogue Education Program

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER / SUSCRÍBASE A NUESTRO BOLETÍN:

* indicates required