S 587 ISCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To establish a Western Hemisphere Energy Cooperation Forum to establish partnerships with interested countries in the hemisphere to promote energy security through the accelerated development of sustainable biofuels production and energy alternatives, research, and infrastructure, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

March 12, 2009CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Mr. LUGAR introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign RelationsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To establish a Western Hemisphere Energy Cooperation Forum to establish partnerships with interested countries in the hemisphere to promote energy security through the accelerated development of sustainable biofuels production and energy alternatives, research, and infrastructure, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the ‘Western Hemisphere Energy Compact’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents for this Act is as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 2. Findings.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3. Definitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4. Western Hemisphere Energy Cooperation Forum.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 5. United States-Brazil biofuels partnership.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 6. International agricultural extension programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7. Biofuels feasibility studies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 8. Regional development banks.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 9. Carbon credit trading mechanisms.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 10. Energy crisis response preparedness.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 11. Energy foreign assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 12. Energy public diplomacy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 13. Report.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress makes the following findings:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The engagement of the United States Government on energy issues with governments of willing countries in the Western Hemisphere is a strategic priority because such engagement can help to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) reduce the potential for conflict over energy resources;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) maintain and expand reliable energy supplies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) expand the use of renewable energy; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) reduce the detrimental effects of energy import dependence.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Several nations in the Western Hemisphere, including Brazil, Canada, Mexico, the United States, and Venezuela, are important for global energy security and climate change mitigation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) Current energy dialogues and agreements should be expanded and refocused, as needed, to meet the challenges described in paragraph (1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) Countries in the Western Hemisphere can most effectively meet their common needs for energy security and sustainability through partnership and cooperation. Cooperation between governments on energy issues will enhance bilateral and regional relationships among countries in the Western Hemisphere. The Western Hemisphere is rich in natural resources, including biomass, oil, natural gas, and coal, and there are significant opportunities for the production of renewable energy, including hydroelectric, solar, geothermal, and wind power. Countries in the Western Hemisphere can provide convenient and reliable markets for their own energy needs and for foreign trade in energy goods and services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) Development of sustainable energy alternatives in countries in the Western Hemisphere can improve energy security, balance of trade, and environmental quality, and can provide markets for energy technology and agricultural products.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) Brazil and the United States have led the world in the production of ethanol. Deeper cooperation on biofuels with other countries in the hemisphere would extend economic, security, and political benefits. The Government of the United States has actively worked with the Government of Brazil to develop a strong biofuels partnership and to increase the production and use of biofuels. On March 9, 2007, the Memorandum of Understanding Between the United States and Brazil to Advance Cooperation on Biofuels was signed in Sao Paulo, Brazil.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) Private sector partnership and investment in all sources of energy is critical to providing energy security in the Western Hemisphere. Several countries in the Western Hemisphere have endangered their investment climate. Other countries in the Western Hemisphere have been unable to make reforms necessary to create investment climates necessary to increase the domestic production of energy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) It is the policy of the United States to promote free trade in energy among countries in the Western Hemisphere, which would--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) help support a growing energy industry;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) create jobs that benefit development and alleviate poverty;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) increase energy security through supply diversification; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) strengthen integration among countries in the Western Hemisphere through closer cooperation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) BIOFUEL- The term ‘biofuel’ means any liquid fuel that is derived from biomass.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) BIOMASS- The term ‘biomass’ means any organic matter that is available on a renewable or recurring basis, including agricultural crops, trees, wood, wood wastes and residues, plants (including aquatic plants), grasses, residues, fibers, animal wastes, municipal wastes, and other waste materials.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) PARTNER COUNTRY- The term ‘partner country’ means a country that has agreed to conduct a biofuels feasibility study under section 7.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT BANK- The term ‘regional development bank’ means the African Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Andean Development Corporation, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Asian Development Bank.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. WESTERN HEMISPHERE ENERGY COOPERATION FORUM.

(a) Establishment- The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, shall seek to establish a ministerial forum with countries in the Western Hemisphere to be known as the Western Hemisphere Energy Cooperation Forum (in this subsection referred to as the ‘Energy Forum’).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Purposes- The purposes of the Energy Forum shall be to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) strengthen relationships between countries of the Western Hemisphere through cooperation on energy issues;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) enhance cooperation, including information and technology cooperation, between major energy producers and major energy consumers in the Western Hemisphere;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) explore possibilities for countries in the Western Hemisphere to work together to promote renewable energy production (particularly in biofuels) and to lessen dependence on oil imports without reducing food security;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) ensure the energy supply is sufficient to facilitate continued economic, social, and environmental progress in the countries of the Western Hemisphere;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) provide an opportunity for open dialogue and joint commitments among partner countries and with private industry;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) provide partner countries the flexibility necessary to cooperatively address broad challenges posed to the energy supply of the Western Hemisphere and to find solutions that are politically acceptable and practical in policy terms; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) improve transparency in the energy sector.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Activities- The Secretary of State, together with the Secretary of Energy, shall seek to implement, in cooperation with partner countries--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) an energy crisis initiative that will promote national and regional measures to respond to temporary energy supply disruptions, including participation in a Western Hemisphere energy crisis response mechanism in accordance with section 9(b);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) an energy sustainability initiative to facilitate the long-term security of the energy supply by fostering reliable sources of energy and improved energy efficiency, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) developing, deploying, and commercializing technologies for producing sustainable renewable energy within the Western Hemisphere;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) promoting production and trade in sustainable energy, including energy from biomass;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) facilitating investment, trade, and technology cooperation in energy infrastructure, petroleum products, natural gas (including liquefied natural gas), and energy efficiency (including automotive efficiency), cleaner fossil energy, renewable energy, and carbon sequestration technologies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) promoting regional infrastructure and market integration;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) developing effective and stable regulatory frameworks;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) developing policy instruments to encourage the use of renewable energy and improved energy efficiency;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) establishing educational training and exchange programs between partner countries;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) identifying and removing barriers to trade in technology, services, and commodities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) promoting dialogue and common measures of environmental sustainability for energy practices; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(J) mapping potential energy resources from hydrocarbons, hydrokinetic, solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) an energy for development initiative to promote energy access for underdeveloped areas through energy policy and infrastructure development, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) increasing access to energy services for the poor;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) improving energy sector market conditions;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) promoting rural development though biomass and other renewable energy production and use;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) increasing transparency of, and participation in, energy infrastructure projects;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) promoting development and deployment of technology for clean and sustainable energy development, including biofuel and clean coal technologies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) facilitating the use of carbon sequestration methods in agriculture and forestry, including facilitating participation in international carbon markets; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) developing microenergy opportunities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) a climate change mitigation and adaptation initiative, including activities such as--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) coordinating regional public and private partnerships for greenhouse gas reduction;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) identifying opportunities and facilitating mechanisms for forest preservation and reclamation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) sharing best practices in energy policy formulation and execution;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) identifying areas at severe risk for climate change, such as drought, flooding, and other environmental phenomena that could lead to crisis;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) identifying areas in need of agricultural innovation to prepare for climate change, including using biotechnology where appropriate; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) cataloging greenhouse gas emissions in the Western Hemisphere, including private sector reporting; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) the increase use of biofuels based on the studies provided by each partner country under section 7.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Implementation- It is the sense of Congress that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) all partner countries should meet at least once every year;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) partner countries should meet on a subregional basis, as needed; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) civil society, indigenous populations, and private industry representatives should be integral to the activities of the Energy Forum.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Western Hemisphere Energy Industry Group-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) AUTHORITY- The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Energy, shall seek to establish a Western Hemisphere Energy Industry Group (in this subsection referred to as the ‘Energy Group’) within the Energy Forum. The Energy Group should include representatives from industry and governments in the Western Hemisphere.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PURPOSES- The purposes of the Energy Group are to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) increase public-private partnerships;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) foster private investment;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) enable countries in the Western Hemisphere to devise energy agendas that are compatible with industry capacity and cognizant of industry goals; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) promote transparency in financial flows in the extractive industries in accordance with the principles of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) DISCUSSION TOPICS- It is the sense of Congress that the Energy Group should--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) promote a secure investment climate;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) research and deploy biofuels and other alternative fuels and clean electrical production facilities, including clean coal and carbon capture and storage;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) develop and deploy energy efficient technologies and practices in the industrial, residential, and transportation sectors;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) invest in oil and natural gas production and distribution;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) maintain transparency of data relating to energy production, trade, consumption, and reserves;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) promote biofuels research; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) establish training and education exchange programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Oil and Natural Gas Working Group-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ESTABLISHMENT- The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Energy shall seek to establish an Oil and Gas Working Group within the Energy Forum or the Energy Group.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PURPOSE- The purpose of the Oil and Gas Working Group shall be to strengthen dialogue between international oil companies, national oil companies, and civil society groups on issues relating to international standards on transparency, social responsibility, and best practices in leasing and management of oil and natural gas projects.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Appropriation- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of State $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 to carry out this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5. UNITED STATES-BRAZIL BIOFUELS PARTNERSHIP.

(a) In General- The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, shall work with the Government of Brazil to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) coordinate efforts to promote the production and use of biofuels among countries in the Western Hemisphere, giving preference to those countries that are among the poorest and most dependent on petroleum imports, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) coordinating the biofuels feasibility studies described in section 7;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) collaborating on policy and regulatory measures to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) promote domestic biofuels production and use, including related agricultural and environmental measures;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) reform the transportation sector to increase the use of biofuels, increase efficiency, reduce emissions, and integrate the use of advanced technologies; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) reform fueling infrastructure to allow for the use of biofuels and other alternative fuels;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) invite the European Union, China, India, South Africa, Japan, and other interested countries to join in and expand existing international efforts to promote the development of a global strategy to create global biofuels markets and promote biofuels production and use in developing countries;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) assess the feasibility of working with the World Bank and relevant regional development banks regarding--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) biofuels production capabilities; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) infrastructure, research, and training related to such capabilities; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) develop a joint and coordinated strategy regarding the construction and retrofitting of pipelines and terminals near major fuel distribution centers, coastal harbors, and railroads.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of State $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 to carry out this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6. INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION PROGRAMS.

(a) In General- The Secretary of Agriculture shall work with the Government of Brazil, the Government of Canada, and other governments of partner countries, to facilitate joint agricultural extension activities related to biofuels crop production, biofuels production, and the measurement and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Educational Grants- The Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Agriculture, and in collaboration with the Government of Brazil, shall establish a grant program to finance advanced biofuels research and collaboration between academic and research institutions in the United States and Brazil.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Funding Sources-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2010--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to the Secretary of Agriculture, $10,000,000 to carry out subsection (a); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to the Secretary of Energy, $14,000,000 to carry out subsection (b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING SOURCES- The Secretary of State shall work with the Government of Brazil, the government of each partner country, regional development banks, the Organization of American States, and other interested parties to identify supplemental funding sources for the biofuels feasibility studies described in section 7.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 7. BIOFUELS FEASIBILITY STUDIES.

(a) In General- The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, shall work with each partner country to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of increasing the production and use of biofuels in each such country.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Analysis of the Energy Policy Framework- The study conducted under subsection (a) shall analyze--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the energy policy of the partner country, particularly the impact of such policy on the promotion of biofuels; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the status and impact of any existing biofuels programs of the country.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Assessment of Demand- The study conducted under subsection (a) shall assess, with respect to the partner country--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the quantitative and qualitative current and projected demand for energy by families, villages, industries, public transportation infrastructure, and other energy consumers;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the future demand for heat, electricity, and transportation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) the demand for high-quality transportation fuel;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) the local market prices for various energy sources; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) the employment, income generation, and rural development opportunities from the biofuels industry.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Assessment of Resources- The study conducted under subsection (a) shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) assess the present and future biomass resources that are available in each geographic region of the partner country to meet the demand assessed under subsection (c);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) include a plan for increasing the availability of existing biomass resources in the country; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) include a plan for developing new, sustainable biomass resources in the country, including wood, manure, agricultural residues, sewage, and organic waste.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Analysis of Available Technologies Systems- Based on the assessments described in subsections (c) and (d), the study for each partner country shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) analyze available technologies and systems for using biofuels in the country, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) converting biomass crops and agroforestry residues into pellets and briquettes;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) using low-pollution stoves;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) engaging in biogas production;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) engaging in charcoal and activated coal production;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) engaging in biofuels production;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) using combustion and co-combustion technologies; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) using biofuels technologies in various geographic regions;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) analyze the economic viability of biomass technologies in the country; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) compare the technologies and systems in the country relating to biofuels with the technologies and systems for conventional energy supplies to determine if biofuels technology is cost-effective, low-maintenance, and socially acceptable, and the impact of biofuels on economic development.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Environmental Assessment- The study conducted by each partner country under subsection (a) shall assess--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the probable environmental impact of increased biomass harvesting and production, and biofuels production and use; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the availability of financing for biofuels from global carbon credit trading mechanisms.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Food Security Assessment- The study conducted by each partner country under subsection (a) shall assess the potential impact on food stocks and prices in the partner country.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Development of Policy Options To Promote Biofuels Production and Use-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The study conducted by each partner country under subsection (a) shall identify and evaluate policy options to promote biofuels production and use, after taking into account--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the existing energy policy of the country; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the technologies available to convert local biomass resources into biofuels in the country.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) COORDINATION- In conducting the evaluation under paragraph (1), the partner country shall provide for participation of local, national, and international public, civil society, and private institutions that have responsibility or expertise in biofuels production and use.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) PRINCIPAL ISSUES- The study shall address with respect to the partner country--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the potential of biomass in the country and the barriers to the production of biofuels from such biomass products;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the strategies for creating a market for biomass products;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the potential contribution biofuels have in reducing fossil fuel consumption;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) environmental sustainability issues and policy options and the mitigating effect on carbon emissions of increased biofuels production;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) the potential contribution biofuels have on economic development, poverty reduction, and sustainability of energy resources;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) programs for the use of biofuels in the transportation sector;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) economic cooperation across international borders to increase biofuels production and use;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) the potential for technological collaboration and joint ventures for biofuels and the technological, cultural, and legal barriers that may impede such collaboration and joint ventures; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) the economic aspects of the promotion of biofuels, including job creation, financing and loan mechanisms, credit mobilization, investment capital, and market penetration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of State $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 to carry out this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 8. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT BANKS.

The Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the United States Executive Director to each regional development bank and inform the public that it is the policy of the United States that assistance provided by such bank should encourage development of renewable energy sources, including energy derived from biomass. In coordination with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of the Treasury shall provide information regarding progress in the development of renewable energy sources, including energy derived from biomass. The information shall be included in the annual report to Congress required by section 13 on the implementation of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 9. CARBON CREDIT TRADING MECHANISMS.

(a) In General- The Secretary of State shall work with interested governments in the Western Hemisphere and other countries to facilitate regional and hemispheric carbon trading mechanisms consistent with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and existing trade and financial agreements to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) establish credits for the preservation of tropical forests;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) use greenhouse gas-reducing agricultural practices;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) jointly fund greenhouse gas sequestration studies and experiments in various geological formations; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) jointly fund climate mitigation studies in vulnerable areas in the Western Hemisphere.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of State $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 to carry out this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 10. ENERGY CRISIS RESPONSE PREPAREDNESS.

(a) Findings- Congress makes the following findings:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Cooperation between the United States Government and the governments of other countries during an energy crisis promotes the national security of the United States and of the other countries.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Credible contingency plans to respond to energy shortages may serve as a deterrent to the manipulation of energy supplies by export and transit countries.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) The vulnerability of most countries in the Western Hemisphere to supply disruptions from political, natural, or terrorism causes may introduce instability in the Western Hemisphere and can be a source of conflict, despite the existence of major energy resources in the Western Hemisphere. The United States and Canada are the only members of the International Energy Program in the Western Hemisphere.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) Regional and international agreements for the management of energy emergencies in the Western Hemisphere will benefit market stability and encourage development in participating countries.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Establishment of an Energy Crisis Response Mechanism for the Western Hemisphere-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) AUTHORITY- The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, shall immediately seek to establish a Western Hemisphere energy crisis response mechanism (in this subsection referred to as the ‘mechanism’).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) SCOPE- The mechanism established under paragraph (1) shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) real-time information sharing and a coordination mechanism to respond to energy supply emergencies in the Western Hemisphere;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) technical assistance in the development and management of national and regional strategic energy reserves in the Western Hemisphere;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the promotion of increased energy infrastructure integration between countries in the Western Hemisphere;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) emergency demand restraint measures in the Western Hemisphere;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) the development of the ability of countries in the Western Hemisphere to switch energy sources and to switch to alternative energy production capacity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) energy demand intensity reduction programs as measured by energy consumption per unit of economic activity; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) measures to strengthen sea lanes and infrastructure security in the Western Hemisphere.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) MEMBERSHIP- The Secretary shall seek to include in the mechanism each major energy producer and major energy consumer in the Western Hemisphere and other members of the Energy Forum established pursuant to section 4(a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) STUDY- The Secretary of Energy shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) conduct a study of supply vulnerability relating to natural gas in the Western Hemisphere; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) submit a report to the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives that includes recommendations for infrastructure and regulatory needs for reducing supply disruption vulnerability and international coordination.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Energy $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 to carry out this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 11. ENERGY FOREIGN ASSISTANCE.

(a) In General- The Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (in this section referred to as the ‘Administrator’) shall seek to increase United States foreign assistance for renewable energy, including assistance for activities to reduce dependence on imported energy by switching to biofuels.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Development Strategy Review- The Administrator shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) review country assistance strategies and make recommendations to increase assistance for renewable energy activities; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) submit the results of the review conducted under paragraph (1) to the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Expedited Sustainable Energy Grants-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) AUTHORIZATION- The Administrator is authorized to award grants to nongovernmental organizations for sustainable energy and job creation projects in at-risk nations, such as Haiti. Applications for grants shall be submitted in such form and in such manner as the Administrator determines and grants shall be awarded on an expedited basis upon approval of the application.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated to the United States Agency for International Development $10,000,000 to provide grants under this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 12. ENERGY PUBLIC DIPLOMACY.

(a) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of State $5,000,000 for public diplomacy activities relating to renewable energy in the Western Hemisphere.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Limitation- Not less than 50 percent of any amount appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be used for education activities implemented through civil society organizations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 13. REPORT.

The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, shall submit an annual report to Congress on the activities carried out to implement this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink