S.Amdt. 1453

SA 1453. Mr. MENENDEZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2657, to support innovation in advanced geothermal research and development, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

SEC. __. ENERGY DIPLOMACY AND SECURITY WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

(a) In General.--Section 1(c) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(c)) is amended--

(1) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and

(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new paragraph:

“(4) 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) Establishment.--The Assistant Secretary established by this section shall be responsible for the execution of diplomatic activities related to, and support for the advancement of foreign policy dedicated to, energy matters within the Department of State for--

“(i) formulating and implementing international policies, in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, as appropriate, aimed at protecting and advancing United States energy security interests and promoting responsible development of global energy resources by effectively managing United States bilateral and multilateral relations;

“(ii) ensuring that the Department of State's analyses and decision making processes related to matters involving global energy development account for the effects the developments have on--

“(I) United States national security;

“(II) quality of life and public health of people, households, and communities, particularly vulnerable and underserved populations affected by, or proximate to, energy development, transmission, and distribution projects;

“(III) United States economic interests;

“(IV) emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change; and

“(V) local and regional land use, air and water quality, and risks to public health of communities described under subclause (II);

“(iii) incorporating energy security and climate security into the activities of the Department of State;

“(iv) coordinating energy activities within the Department of State and with relevant Federal agencies;

“(v) working internationally to--

“(I) support socially and environmentally responsible development of energy resources that mitigate carbon emissions, and the distribution of such resources for the benefit of the United States and United States allies and trading partners for their energy security, climate security, and economic development needs;

“(II) promote availability of clean energy technologies, including carbon capture and storage, 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, security, and commercial interests of United States persons operating in the energy markets of foreign countries; and

“(V) support and coordinate international efforts to--

“(aa) alleviate energy poverty;

“(bb) protect vulnerable, exploited, and underserved populations that are affected or displaced by energy development projects;

“(cc) account for and mitigate greenhouse gas emission from energy development projects; and

“(dd) increase access to energy for vulnerable and underserved communities;

“(vi) leading the United States commitment to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative;

“(vii) coordinating within the Department of State and with relevant Federal departments and agencies on developing and implementing international energy-related sanctions; and

“(viii) coordinating energy security and climate security and other relevant functions within the Department of State currently undertaken by--

“(I) the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs of the Department of State;

“(II) the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs of the Department of State; and

“(III) other offices within the Department of State.”.

(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 931 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17371) is amended--

(1) by striking subsections (a) and (b); and

(2) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections (a) and (b), respectively.