U.S. sees 'openness' in Mexico to resolving energy bill concerns

By Dave Graham

MEXICO CITY, Jan 24 (Reuters) - There is openness inside Mexico's government to addressing U.S. concerns about proposed Mexican legislation aimed at strengthening state control of the power market, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said on Monday.

Speaking after a visit to Mexico last week where she set out how the United States believes the bill championed by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador risked crimping investment, Granholm said she had been encouraged by the response she received.

"There was receptivity to what we were saying, in the same way that I was receptive to hearing the explanation for why this law was put forward," she told Reuters in an interview.

"So I think there is an openness for resolution, and I hope that that happens," she added, noting that Mexico's current proposal "would not create a level playing field" for U.S. companies wanting to invest in renewable energy there. (Reporting by Dave Graham Editing by Daniel Flynn and David Gregorio)