U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La.,
along with Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, the Chair and
Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
respectively, introduced the United
States-Israel Energy Cooperation Enhancement Bill. This bipartisan
legislation continues Sen. Landrieu's work to strengthen collaboration between
the U.S. and Israel on energy development and bolsters that relationship by
encouraging increased cooperation between the two countries' academic,
business, governmental and other sectors.
Israel recently discovered an estimated 16 trillion cubic
feet of natural gas in the Leviathan field off its coast, bringing its total
natural gas reserves to an estimated 30 trillion cubic feet. This may be able
to satisfy Israel's domestic gas demand with enough left over to export for
years to come. The U.S. and our domestic energy companies are eager to offer
our expertise to help this critical ally develop these resources.
"With the discovery of the Leviathan field, Israel has the opportunity to
achieve energy independence, boost its economy through natural gas exports and
enhance its security. This is an incredible chance for the U.S. to share our
energy expertise to support a critical ally, while creating economic
opportunities here at home. Louisiana arguably has the most advanced offshore
oil and gas industry in the world, and we are uniquely qualified to lead the
effort to help Israel develop this resource."
"For several years I have been working to boost U.S.-Israel collaboration
on energy development to further strengthen the relationship between our two
countries and help our domestic energy industry - this legislation will
continue to advance these important goals. Through energy collaboration,
academic cooperation, and continued government dialogue, we will create jobs
for our domestic oil and gas industry, support a critical ally in the Middle
East in its quest for energy independence and security, and demonstrate the
strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship. I thank Chairman Wyden and Ranking
Member Murkowski for their leadership on this issue and I will work with them
to pass this important legislation," Sen. Landrieu said.
"This is legislation that will strengthen the special
bond between the U.S. and Israel by increasing cooperation and dialogue on
cutting-edge energy issues," Sen. Wyden said. "The U.S. should seize
this opportunity to help Israel capitalize on a historic discovery of natural
gas, and continuing to share research and best practices on a range of
renewable and other energy technologies."
"This legislation will promote energy-related technological innovations
and the energy security of Israel and the United States by ensuring a
cooperative spirit between our governments, and the best and brightest of our
experts. Cooperation with our closest ally in the Middle East is in our
strategic interest and is especially important in light of recent discoveries
of potentially major reservoirs of natural gas off of the coast of
Israel," Sen. Murkowski said.
"The Alliance is thrilled to continue to work with Senator Landrieu on
this important legislation. We are very proud of Senator Landrieu's extra
efforts to build strong relations with Israel. We could not have been happier
with the response of our Louisiana companies joining us on our historic trade
mission. Our companies are among the best in the world in the energy industry.
I believe our joint efforts will be instrumental in assisting Israel to build a
robust energy industry and this legislation will be critical in that effort. We
look forward to our next projects to support these efforts in the energy
industry and other areas of common interest," David Conner, Vice President
for Economic Development and International Commerce for the Southwest Louisiana
Economic Development Alliance said.
"The Chamber has long been an advocate of strengthening the regulatory and
policy cooperation between the U.S. and Israel on energy issues, and Senators
Landrieu, Murkowski, and Wyden have taken the necessary next steps to do just
that," said Myron Brilliant, Executive Vice president and Head of
International Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "The American
business community and the Chamber's U.S.-Israel Business Initiative are eager
to advance a 21st century energy partnership between the United States and
Israel that moves both countries toward a more stable energy future."
Sen. Landrieu has long been a leader in the effort to enhance U.S.-Israeli
collaboration on energy development. In October 2011, Sen. Landrieu organized
the first ever oil and gas trade mission to Israel with the help of the
Department of Commerce and the critical work of the Southwest Louisiana
Economic Development Alliance. The mission was such a success that the Department
of Commerce worked with Sen. Landrieu to organize a similar trip in October of
2012 to continue this work.
In June
2012, Sen. Landrieu helped arrange a visit by a high-ranking delegation of
Israeli officials to Washington, D.C., and Louisiana. The delegation met
with Sen. Landrieu as well as former Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar.
The delegation also attended the Central Gulf of Mexico oil and gas lease sale
in New Orleans and visited Port Fourchon and the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
facility in Cameron Parish.
United States-Israel Energy Cooperation Enhancement Bill:
- Recognizes energy cooperation between the two countries as a strategic interest of the United States;
- Officially encourages collaboration between the United States National Science Foundation and the Israel Science Foundation;
- Encourages collaboration between the two countries' academic communities in energy innovation technology, technology transfer, and analysis of geopolitical implications of new natural resource development;
- Encourages business development engagement of the two countries private sectors;
- Urges continued regular engagement between the two countries' relevant agencies, departments, and ministries to share best practices in a number of fields, including:
- Regulatory best practices
- - Cyber energy infrastructure
- - Energy efficiency of water technologies (water desalination is an incredibly energy-intensive process, and is thus deeply linked to energy efficiency)
- - Environmental management of deep water exploration
- - Coastal protection and restoration
- Expands already existing United States-Israel grant making joint programs
- - Binational Industrial Research and Development Program (BIRD) and the Binational Science Foundation (BSF)
- - to include projects focused on natural gas, which are expected given Israel's recent discoveries, entrepreneurial environment, and advanced hi-tech sector.
- Reauthorizes these programs through the end of fiscal year 2024;
- Allows cooperative agreements between the Department of Energy (including its National Laboratories) and the Government of Israel;
- Allows for the authorization of a United States- Israel Center based in the United States to further dialogue, collaboration and academic cooperation in energy innovation technology, technology transfer, and geopolitical implications of new natural resource development
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