Text: Administration to Build Hemispheric Energy Partnerships

(Details of energy policy to be released soon: Abraham) (450)



The United States is committed to building energy partnerships with
its hemispheric neighbors, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham says.


Abraham said the Bush Administration's hemispheric energy policy will
be one of interdependent partnerships "with no senior or junior
partners" and will be the basis of an international energy policy.


Abraham said details of the administration's energy policy will be
contained in a report by an inter-governmental energy task force
headed by Vice President Richard Cheney. He said the report is
expected to be released in a few days.


Abraham spoke to a May 7 meeting of the Council of the Americas at the
State Department.


Following is an Energy Department press release on Abraham's May 7
speech:


(begin press release)



Energy Secretary Abraham Pledges Expansion of Hemispheric Energy Ties
Says Ever Freer Trade is Not Just Desirable, It is Essential


WASHINGTON, DC -- Calling for greater energy cooperation within the
Western Hemisphere, Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham today outlined
the Bush administration's commitment to a hemispheric approach to
energy security in a speech before the Council of the Americas at the
State Department.


"President Bush recognizes not only the need for an increased supply
of energy, but the critical role the hemisphere will play in the
administration's energy policy. He has, therefore, given me a clear
mandate: to work with our neighbors to meet our energy objectives,"
said Secretary Abraham. "Energy security for all of us will be
achieved only so far as we are able to build a strong and
interdependent energy partnership here in the Americas."


Abraham noted that the hemisphere is making good progress toward this
goal. At a meeting in Mexico City earlier this year the hemispheric
energy ministers charted a course of action that will encourage
private sector investment in the region, especially in natural gas
exploration and infrastructure development. They also underlined their
commitment to fostering stable and transparent regulatory frameworks.


The United States, Canada and Mexico also agreed recently to establish
a North American Energy Initiative aimed at encouraging, expanding and
accelerating energy resource development. Under a working group the
three countries will explore how to improve cross-border
interconnections for electricity, natural gas, and oil, including
streamlining the Presidential Permitting process.


"We are building the tools for energy interdependence. Even as we
recognize the global nature of the energy problem, our approach will
be to look first to our own neighborhood, to our own growing energy
community here in the Western Hemisphere," Abraham said.


(end press release)



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Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)