Amidst the battles over automobile efficiency and renewable energy portfolio standards, the Senate quietly included the Energy Diplomacy and Security Act of 2007 in the energy bill it passed last week. In doing so, the Senate took a step away from the overheated rhetoric of energy independence, and towards an energy policy capable of handling the challenges of today's interconnected world.

Through our energy initiative, Citizens for Global Solutions has worked to support the passage of the Energy Diplomacy and Security Act. It reaffirms the central importance of working in partnership with other nations to solve global challenges and establishes a positive direction for U.S. energy policy. It also strengthens global energy crisis response mechanisms, improves energy policy coordination and systematically incorporates energy security into U.S. foreign policy. Finally, by recognizing of the linked nature of the challenges to environment, development and security posed by global fossil fuel dependence this bill takes a meaningul step towards overcoming those challenges.

Working In Partnership With Other Nations

The U.S. is part of a global energy system, in which the policies of each nation affect all nations. The Energy Diplomacy and Security Act recognizes the fundamental role of international cooperation in enhancing energy security.

The United States Government and the governments of foreign countries have common needs for adequate, reliable, affordable, clean, and sustainable energy in order to ensure national security, economic growth, and high standards of living in their countries. Cooperation by the United States Government with foreign governments on meeting energy security needs is mutually beneficial. - The Energy Diplomacy and Security Act of 2007

The bill recognizes that the U.S. and its neighbors around the world face common energy challenges and must work together to find shared solutions. To facilitate international cooperation, it calls for strengthening and expanding strategic energy partnerships.

Strengthening Global Energy Crisis Response Mechanisms

Today's global energy system relies on fossil fuels. The global oil market stands at the center of that energy system, and of our global economy. Demand for oil is growing faster than supply, which makes the global oil market vulnerable. Even a relatively minor interruption in oil supply as a result of events in an oil-producing country can create a rapid rise in the price of oil - a price spike. Such spikes have the potential to cause significant economic damage.

To guard against this, the United States and other developed countries have built strategic petroleum reserves, which can be drawn from in times of energy crisis. The International Energy Program coordinates the release of these reserves and allows members to share their reserves. Unfortunately, developing nations don't have access to these reserves, and lack the capacity to create their own. This leaves them vulnerable to energy crises, which can take a heavy toll on their economies, affect their foreign policy choices, and put pressure on their often-fragile political systems.

The Energy Diplomacy and Security Act seeks to correct this imbalance, by having the U.S. use its membership in the International Energy Program to call for reform of that program, as well as the creation of a mechanism that allows developing countries to apply for access to petroleum reserves in times of crisis. In addition, the bill calls for assisting India and China to build their own strategic petroleum reserves.

Improving global energy crisis response mechanisms is a win-win proposition. With a small investment of diplomacy and technical expertise, the U.S. can make a significant contribution to global stability. At a time when the global energy system is entering a period of major transition - away from fossil fuels and towards new, clean sources of energy - making sure that there are safeguards in place to protect everyone in times of crisis is critical.

Recognizing the Link Between Fossil Fuel Dependence and Poverty

Efforts to combat poverty and protect the environment are hindered by the continued predominance of oil and natural gas in meeting global energy needs. Development of renewable energy through sustainable practices will help lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and enhance international development. - The Energy Diplomacy and Security Act of 2007

Dependence on fossil fuels is undermining efforts to fight poverty and enhance political stability in countries all over the world. It is also driving climate change, the impacts of which are already falling - and will continue to fall - hardest on developing countries, bringing hunger, poverty, and disease, and increasing the toll of natural disasters. Achieving a global energy transition away from fossil fuels and towards clean, safe, sustainable sources of energy is necessary to overcome these linked challenges.

Policymakers have tended to address energy security as an issue isolated from poverty and environmental issues. Yet, in our interconnected world the three cannot be separated. By recognizing these linkages and broadening the definition of energy security to include development and environmental concerns, the bill takes a step in the right direction.

Improved Policy Coordination

Improved energy policy coordination is necessary to deal effectively with today's multifaceted energy challenges. Currently, there is massive disarray in U.S. energy policy, particularly in its international aspects. Shared jurisdiction over energy by the Departments of Energy and State has made policy coordination and systematic integration of energy into foreign policy nearly impossible. The U.S. has hundreds of bilateral energy agreements with little coordination or accountability and there is no clear policy mandate guiding the multitude of activities related to energy security that are carried out by a variety of federal agencies.

The Energy Diplomacy and Security Act provides both the broad policy guidelines and the high level coordination mechanism needed to begin untangling this mass of contradictory policies. The bill integrates energy security into the core mission of the Department of State, and establishes a Coordinator for International Energy Affairs. It also requires the President to provide congress with a report on all existing bilateral and multilateral energy agreements as well as an annual energy security strategy report, providing policymakers with the information they need to craft comprehensive, globally-focused energy policies.

Setting Policy Guidelines

Statement of Policy: It is the policy of the United States-- (1) to advance global energy security through cooperation with foreign governments and entities; (2) to promote reliable, diverse, and sustainable sources of all types of energy; (3) to increase global availability of renewable and clean sources of energy; (4) to decrease global dependence on oil and natural gas energy sources; and (5) to engage in energy cooperation to strengthen strategic partnerships that advance peace, security, and democratic prosperity. - The Energy Diplomacy and Security Act of 2007

These policy guidelines, set forth in the Energy Diplomacy and Security Act, represent a significant step towards achieving a comprehensive, globally-focused energy policy capable of overcoming today's energy challenges. Citizens for Global Solutions is proud to have worked in support of this legislation, and looks forward to taking the next step towards a safe and sustainable energy future.

+ Read Our Factsheet on the Energy Diplomacy and Security Act