Among the entity's objectives are to integrate and design public policy related to the use of energy in public, social and environmental security.

The president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, through Executive Decree 254 signed on Thursday, May 2, created the Energy Optimization Committee, which will have the purpose of integrating, designing, promoting and articulating public policy related to the use of energy in the areas of public, social and environmental security.

According to the decree, this body may convene other State bodies to receive input in decision-making or to articulate the implementation of the energy optimization policy.

In addition, it may form specialized subcommittees with the participation of the public entities of the central administration competent in the matter to be discussed. It indicates that each of the public entities that make up this committee must designate an institutional technical support team that will provide direct assistance to the specialized subcommittees that are formed.

The Energy Optimization Committee will be made up of the following members:

• Maximum authority of the governing body of public finances or its delegate, who will preside over it.
• Maximum authority of the governing body of the energy sector or its delegate.
• Maximum authority of the governing body of the transportation and public works sector or its delegate.
• Maximum authority of the governing body of the social sector or its delegate.
• Maximum authority of the governing body of the productive sector or its delegate, and,
• A representative of the governing body of public finances appointed by the president of the committee will act as secretary of the committee.

According to the executive decree, among the powers and responsibilities of the committee are:

Propose public policy options to reduce carbon intensity in the economy, balancing energy markets, to move towards compliance with the Paris Agreement against climate change.

Also prepare public policy proposals to establish a distribution and price stabilization scheme for fossil fuels that protects the population and the economy from fluctuations in international prices of hydrocarbons and their derivatives. This proposal must contain approaches that allow strengthening regulation and control activities in the commercialization of derivatives in the automotive segment.

And, finally, define control mechanisms to prevent fuel trafficking and its use in terrorist activities or that threaten the public security of the State, fuel smuggling, internal diversion, speculation and citizen security.