Sec. 109. Promoting greater energy security
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/bill/116/hr/8716/ih/section-109·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
It is the policy of the United States to help Caribbean countries— achieve greater energy security; and lower their dependence on imported fuels. Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a multi-year strategy to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives for regional cooperation with Caribbean countries— to lower the region’s dependence on imported fuels, grow the region’s domestic energy production for the generation of electricity, and strengthen regional energy security; to lower the region’s dependence on oil in the transportation sector; to increase the region’s energy efficiency, energy conservation, and investment in alternatives to imported fuels; to improve grid reliability and modernize electricity transmission networks; to advance deployment of innovative solutions to expand community and individuals’ access to electricity; and to help reform the region’s energy markets to encourage good regulatory governance and to promote a climate of private sector investment.
The strategy required under subsection
(b)shall include— a thorough review and inventory of United States Government activities to promote energy security in the Caribbean region and to reduce the region’s reliance on oil for electricity generation that are being carried out bilaterally, regionally, and in coordination with multilateral institutions; opportunities for marshaling regional cooperation— to overcome market barriers resulting from the small size of Caribbean energy markets; to address the high transportation and infrastructure costs faced by Caribbean countries; to ensure greater donor coordination between governments, multilateral institutions, multilateral banks, and private investors; and to expand regional financing opportunities to allow for lower cost energy entrepreneurship; measures to encourage each Caribbean government to ensure that it has— an independent utility regulator or equivalent; affordable access by third party investors to its electrical grid with minimal regulatory interference; effective energy efficiency and energy conservation; programs to address technical and nontechnical issues; a plan to eliminate major market distortions; cost-reflective tariffs; and no tariffs or other taxes on clean energy solutions; and recommendations for how United States policy, technical, and economic assistance can be used in the Caribbean region— to advance renewable energy development and the incorporation of renewable technologies into existing energy grids and the development and deployment of micro-grids where appropriate and feasible; to create regional financing opportunities to allow for lower cost energy entrepreneurship; to deploy transaction advisors in the region to help attract private investment and break down any market or regulatory barriers; and to establish a mechanism for each host government to have access to independent legal advice— to speed the development of energy-related contracts; and to better protect the interests of Caribbean governments and their citizens.