[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 34 (Thursday, March 16, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2326-S2327]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. LUGAR:
  S. 2435. A bill to increase cooperation on energy issues between the 
United States Government and foreign governments and entities in order 
to secure the strategic and economic interests of the United States, 
and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the ``Energy 
Diplomacy and Security Act,'' legislation that recognizes energy 
security to be a foremost concern for United States national security, 
and would realign our diplomatic priorities to meet energy security 
challenges.
  Energy issues pose a multitude of challenges for United States 
national security, foreign policy, economy, and environment. Meeting 
these challenges requires a rigorous and farsighted policy to move us 
toward a sustainable energy future, which will include international 
partnership. The bill calls upon the President to improve the focus and 
coordination of Federal agency activities in international energy 
affairs. The bill further would ensure that concern for energy security 
is integrated into the State Department's core mission and activities, 
and to this end, it calls for the creation of a Coordinator for 
International Energy Affairs within the Office of the Secretary.
  The bill calls upon the Federal Government to expand international 
cooperation on energy issues. The bill seeks to enhance international 
preparedness for major disruptions in oil supplies. A particular 
priority is to offer a formal coordination agreement with China and 
India as they develop strategic petroleum reserves. This would help 
draw them into the international system, providing supply reassurance, 
and thereby reducing potential for conflict. The bill also calls for 
extension of petroleum supply disruption to developing nations which 
are most vulnerable.
  The bill would also stimulate regional partnerships in the Western 
Hemisphere. Most of our oil and virtually all of our gas imports come 
from this Hemisphere. The bill would create a Western Hemisphere Energy 
Forum modeled on the APEC energy working group. This would provide a 
badly-needed mechanism for hemispheric energy cooperation and 
consultation, and would promote private investment in the Hemisphere.
  Finally, the bill would enhance international partnerships with both 
major energy producing and consuming countries. We must engage major 
oil and natural gas producing countries. Not working with major oil and 
gas exporters will lead to unproductive political

[[Page S2327]]

showdowns and conflict. Strategic energy partnerships with other major 
consuming countries are also crucial for our national security. Energy 
security is a priority we hold in common with other import dependent 
countries, and partnership with the world's largest consumers will 
increase leverage in relation to petro-states and speed our own 
conversion to sustainable energy sources. In addition to seeking new 
avenues of cooperation, the bill would give focus to existing bilateral 
energy dialogues, which have lacked clear objectives and political 
backing.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Administration 
to pursue a foreign policy that meets the grave national security 
challenges posed by the global energy situation.
                                 ______