440 
expanding use of renewable energy, and reducing the 
detrimental effects of energy import dependence 
within the hemisphere. Current energy dialogues 
should be expanded and refocused as needed to meet 
this challenge. 
(2) Countries of 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 relationships 
among countries of the hemisphere. The Western 
Hemisphere is rich in natural resources, including 
biomass, oil, natural gas, coal, and has significant 
opportunity for production of renewable hydro, solar, 
wind, and other energies. Countries of the Western 
Hemisphere can provide convenient and reliable 
markets for trade in energy goods and services. 
(3) Development of sustainable energy alter-
natives in the countries of the Western Hemisphere 
can improve energy security, balance of trade, and 
environmental quality and provide markets for en-
ergy technology and agricultural products. Brazil 
and the United States have led the world in the pro-
duction of ethanol, and deeper cooperation on 
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biofuels with other countries of the hemisphere 
would extend economic and security benefits. 
(4) Private sector partnership and investment 
in all sources of energy is critical to providing en-
ergy security in the Western Hemisphere. 
(b) HEMISPHERE ENERGY COOPERATION FORUM.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of State, 
in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, should 
immediately seek to establish a regional-based min-
isterial forum to be known as the Hemisphere En-
ergy Cooperation Forum. 
(2) PURPOSES.—The Hemisphere Energy Co-
operation Forum should seek— 
(A) to strengthen relationships between the 
United States and other countries of the West-
ern Hemisphere through cooperation on energy 
issues; 
(B) to enhance cooperation between major 
energy producers and major energy consumers 
in the Western Hemisphere, particularly among 
the governments of Brazil, Canada, Mexico, the 
United States, and Venezuela; 
(C) to ensure that energy contributes to 
the economic, social, and environmental en-
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hancement of the countries of the Western 
Hemisphere; 
(D) to provide an opportunity for open dia-
logue and joint commitments between member 
governments and with private industry; and 
(E) to provide participating countries the 
flexibility necessary to cooperatively address 
broad challenges posed to the energy supply of 
the Western Hemisphere that are practical in 
policy terms and politically acceptable. 
(3) ACTIVITIES.—The Hemisphere Energy Co-
operation Forum should implement the following ac-
tivities: 
(A) An Energy Crisis Initiative that will 
establish measures to respond to temporary en-
ergy supply disruptions, including through— 
(i) strengthening sea-lane and infra-
structure security; 
(ii) implementing a real-time emer-
gency information sharing system; 
(iii) encouraging members to have 
emergency mechanisms and contingency 
plans in place; and 
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(iv) establishing a Western Hemi-
sphere energy crisis response mechanism 
as authorized under section 705(c). 
(B) An Energy Sustainability Initiative to 
facilitate long-term supply security through fos-
tering reliable supply sources of fuels, including 
development, deployment, and commercializa-
tion of technologies for sustainable renewable 
fuels within the region, including activities 
that— 
(i) promote production and trade in 
sustainable energy, including energy from 
biomass; 
(ii) facilitate investment, trade, and 
technology cooperation in energy infra-
structure, petroleum products, natural gas 
(including liquefied natural gas), energy ef-
ficiency (including automotive efficiency), 
clean fossil energy, renewable energy, and 
carbon sequestration; 
(iii) promote regional infrastructure 
and market integration; 
(iv) develop effective and stable regu-
latory frameworks; 
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