Energy Diplomacy Act
Bill: H.R.1311 | Sponsor: Rep. Pfluger, August (R-TX)
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
Energy Diplomacy Act
This bill authorizes the Department of State to establish an Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources.
If the State Department establishes this position, it must ensure there are sufficient personnel dedicated to handling energy-related issues, such as (1) formulating policies to advance U.S. energy security interests, (2) providing analysis of the national security implications of global energy and environmental developments, and (3) coordinating energy-related activities with other federal agencies.

To amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to provide 
       for energy security and diplomacy, and for other purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Energy Diplomacy Act''.

SEC. 2. ENERGY SECURITY AND DIPLOMACY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

     Section 1(c) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 
(22 U.S.C. 2651a) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(3) Energy resources.--
                    ``(A) Authorization for assistant secretary.--
                Subject to the numerical limitation specified in 
                paragraph (1), there is authorized to be established in 
                the Department of State an Assistant Secretary of State 
                for Energy Resources.
                    ``(B) Personnel.--If the Department of State 
                establishes an Assistant Secretary of State for Energy 
                Resources in accordance with the authorization provided 
                in subparagraph (A), the Secretary of State shall 
                ensure there are sufficient personnel dedicated to 
                energy matters within the Department whose 
                responsibilities shall include--
                            ``(i) formulating and implementing 
                        international policies aimed at protecting and 
                        advancing United States energy security 
                        interests by effectively managing United States 
                        bilateral and multilateral relations;
                            ``(ii) ensuring that analyses of the 
                        national security implications of global energy 
                        and environmental developments are reflected in 
                        the decision-making process within the 
                        Department;
                            ``(iii) incorporating energy security 
                        priorities into the activities of the 
                        Department;
                            ``(iv) coordinating energy activities of 
                        the Department with relevant Federal 
                        departments and agencies;
                            ``(v) coordinating with the Office of 
                        Sanctions Coordination on economic sanctions 
                        pertaining to the international energy sector; 
                        and
                            ``(vi) working internationally to--
                                    ``(I) support the development of 
                                energy resources and the distribution 
                                of such resources for the benefit of 
                                the United States and United States 
                                allies and trading partners for their 
                                energy security and economic 
                                development needs;
                                    ``(II) promote availability of 
                                diversified energy supplies and a well 
                                functioning global market for energy 
                                resources, technologies, and expertise 
                                for the benefit of the United States 
                                and United States allies and trading 
                                partners;
                                    ``(III) resolve international 
                                disputes regarding the exploration, 
                                development, production, or 
                                distribution of energy resources;
                                    ``(IV) support the economic and 
                                commercial interests of United States 
                                persons operating in the energy markets 
                                of foreign countries;
                                    ``(V) support and coordinate 
                                international efforts to alleviate 
                                energy poverty;
                                    ``(VI) leading the United States 
                                commitment to the Extractive Industries 
                                Transparency Initiative; and
                                    ``(VII) coordinating energy 
                                security and other relevant functions 
                                within the Department currently 
                                undertaken by--
                                            ``(aa) the Bureau of 
                                        Economic and Business Affairs;
                                            ``(bb) the Bureau of Oceans 
                                        and International Environmental 
                                        and Scientific Affairs; and
                                            ``(cc) other offices within 
                                        the Department of State.''.
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