WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Subcommittee, applauded the passage of their European Energy Security and Diversification Act in the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday night. U.S. Representatives Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) and Bill Keating (MA-9) introduced the House version of their bill. 

The European Energy Security and Diversification Act provides new tools for the United States to combat malign Russian influence and create economic opportunities at home and abroad. Specifically, the legislation authorizes $1 billion in financing to catalyze U.S. public and private sector investment for European energy projects that, paired with increased diplomatic and technical support, will help diversify Europe’s energy supply and decrease Russia’s hold on the region. Russia uses its dominance of the energy market, along with bribery, corruption, and propaganda, to undermine Western institutions and install pliant governments that are unable or unwilling to counter Russia or its president, Vladimir Putin. 

“I’m thrilled the House has sent our legislation to the Senate. For too long, Vladimir Putin has used Russia’s oil and other energy sources to strong arm Eastern European countries. This will boost private and public investments in the region, creating jobs and protecting our national security,” said Murphy. 

“I’m pleased the House moved expeditiously to pass this legislation that promotes European energy security and supply diversification. I look forward to passing it in the Senate soon to help address Russia’s attempts to use its energy dominance to influence other countries in the region,” said Johnson.

The European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019 would:

  • Authorize financing to catalyze U.S. public and private sector investment in strategically important energy projects in eligible countries from fiscal year 2019 to 2023, including: 
    • Natural gas infrastructure such as interconnectors, storage facilities, LNG import facilities, and reverse flow capacity. 
    • Electricity infrastructure, including transmission infrastructure, storage projects, and smart grids.
    • Authorize $5 million per year in appropriations for the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) for project feasibility studies, reverse trade missions, pilot projects, and technical workshops to support projects in the earlier stages of development.
    • Encourage the State Department to ramp up its political and diplomatic support to eligible countries such as by facilitating negotiations for cross-border energy infrastructure and assisting eligible countries improve their energy markets and regulatory environments.

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