WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bill Keating (D-MA 9th District) has introduced legislation that seeks to attain greater global energy security for the United States and Europe by diversifying energy sources and supply routes throughout the region.
Keating, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, Energy, and the Environment, introduced H.R. 1616, the European Energy Security and Diversification Act along with Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), a Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, last week.
“Russia has long weaponized its grip on energy throughout Europe,” said Keating.
“In the face of growing threats to our security and that of our allies, we need to stand together as part of a strong and unified coalition. This bill is a major step forward in helping our European partners lessen Russian influence over the energy sector while also fostering EU-US cooperation, private investment, and low-carbon pathways. Winning solutions for our allies, our economies, and our climate are available, and this bipartisan, bicameral legislation works to advance them.”
The legislation would authorize financing for private sector investments in Europe and Eurasia to develop alternative sources of energy – including from renewable energy – in order to promote greater European independence from Russian energy sources.
“We have an opportunity to support our allies, and with U.S. diplomatic, political, and technical support, we can stop Russia from using energy as a means to threaten the security of our European partners. Thank you to my colleagues in the House and Senate for joining me in this effort to increase global energy security,” Congressman Kinzinger said.
Keating and Kinzinger were joined by fellow House Foreign Affairs Committee colleagues, Congressmen Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) as original co-sponsors of this legislation.
The Senate companion bill to H.R. 1616 was also introduced last week by Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Ben Cardin (D-MD).
“I am working to advance this legislation at the Committee’s markup on Thursday,” Keating said.
By TIM DUNN, CapeCod.com News Center
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