1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019”.
European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019
A BILL
To prioritize the efforts of and enhance coordination among United States agencies to encourage countries in Central and Eastern Europe to diversify their energy sources and supply routes, increase Europe’s energy security, and help the United States reach its global energy security goals, and for other purposes.
2. Definitions
In this Act:
Central or Eastern European country— The term Central or Eastern European country includes—
Albania;
Bosnia and Herzegovina;
Bulgaria;
Croatia;
Cyprus;
the Czech Republic;
Estonia;
Greece;
Hungary;
Kosovo;
Latvia;
Lithuania;
Macedonia;
Moldova;
Montenegro;
Poland;
Romania;
Serbia;
Slovakia;
Slovenia; and
Ukraine.
Early-stage project support— The term early-stage project support includes—
feasibility studies;
resource evaluations;
project appraisal and costing;
pilot projects;
commercial support, such as trade missions, reverse trade missions, technical workshops, international buyer programs, and international partner searchers to link suppliers to projects;
technical assistance and other guidance to improve the local regulatory environment and market frameworks to encourage transparent competition and enhance energy security; and
long-term energy sector planning.
Late-stage project support— The term late-stage project support includes debt financing, insurance, and transaction advisory services.
3. Statement of policy
Sense of Congress— It is the sense of Congress that the United States has economic and national security interests in assisting Central and Eastern European countries achieve energy security through diversification of their energy sources and supply routes.
Statement of policy— It is the policy of the United States—
to advance United States foreign policy and development goals by assisting Central and Eastern European countries to reduce their dependence on energy resources from countries that use energy dependence for undue political influence, such as the Russian Federation, which has used natural gas to coerce, intimidate, and influence other countries;
to promote the energy security of allies and partners of the United States by encouraging the development of accessible, transparent, and competitive energy markets that provide diversified sources, types, and routes of energy;
to encourage United States public and private sector investment in European energy infrastructure projects to bridge the gap between energy security requirements and commercial demand in a way that is consistent with the region’s absorptive capacity; and
to help facilitate the export of United States energy resources, technology, and expertise to global markets in a way that benefits the energy security of allies and partners of the United States, including in Central and Eastern Europe.
4. Prioritization of efforts and assistance for energy infrastructure projects in Central and Eastern Europe
In general— In pursuing the policy described in section 3, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the heads of United States agencies that operate under the policy guidance of the Secretary, shall, as appropriate, prioritize and expedite the efforts of the Department of State and those agencies in supporting the efforts of the European Commission and the governments of Central and Eastern European countries to increase their energy security, including through—
providing diplomatic and political support to the European Commission and those governments, as necessary—
to facilitate international negotiations concerning cross-border infrastructure;
to enhance Europe’s regulatory environment with respect to energy; and
to develop accessible, transparent, and competitive energy markets supplied by diverse sources, types, and routes of energy; and
providing support to improve European energy markets, including early-stage project support and late-stage project support for the construction or improvement of energy infrastructure, as necessary—
to diversify the energy sources and supply routes of Central and Eastern European countries;
to enhance energy market integration across the region; and
to increase competition within energy markets.
Project selection—
In general— The agencies described in subsection (a) shall identify energy infrastructure projects that would be appropriate for United States assistance under this section.
Project eligibility— A project is eligible for United States assistance under this section if the project is—
related to—
natural gas infrastructure, such as interconnectors, storage facilities, liquefied natural gas import facilities, or reverse flow capacity;
electricity transmission infrastructure, electricity storage projects, or smart grid projects;
renewable energy projects in wind, solar, tidal, or other forms; or
the improvement, rehabilitation, or construction of natural gas, coal, or other electricity generation facilities to increase the efficiency and reliability of electricity production; and
located in a Central or Eastern European country.
Preference— In selecting among projects that are eligible under paragraph (2), the agencies described in subsection (a) shall give preference to projects that—
link the energy systems of two or more Central and Eastern European countries;
have already been identified by the European Commission as being integral for the energy security of Central and Eastern European countries;
are expected to enhance energy market integration;
can attract funding from the private sector, an international financial institution, the government of the country in which the project will be carried out, or the European Commission; or
have the potential to use United States goods and services during project implementation.
Types of assistance—
Diplomatic and political support— The Secretary of State shall provide diplomatic and political support to the European Commission and the governments of Central and Eastern European countries, as necessary, including by using the diplomatic and political influence and expertise of the Department of State to build the capacity of those countries to resolve any impediments to the development of projects selected under subsection (b).
Early-stage project support— The Director of the Trade and Development Agency shall provide early-stage project support with respect to projects selected under subsection (b), as necessary.
Late-stage project support— Agencies described in subsection (a) that provide late-stage project support shall do so with respect to projects selected under subsection (b), as necessary.
Funding—
Private sector investment— The agencies described in subsection (a)—
are authorized to provide financing of not more than $1,000,000,000 to support private sector investment in projects that diversify the energy sources and energy transport capabilities of Central and Eastern European countries and to improve energy market integration in those countries; and
shall ensure that amounts from such investments are available for fiscal years 2020 through 2024 for debt financing and insurance for projects under this section.
Authorization of appropriations for Trade and Development Agency— There are authorized to be appropriated to the Director of the Trade and Development Agency for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024—
$5,000,000 to provide assistance under this section; and
such sums as may be necessary for the Agency to employ additional personnel to provide such assistance.
Countering Russian Influence Fund— Section 254(b) of the Countering Russian Influence in Europe and Eurasia Act of 2017 (22 U.S.C. 9543(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(7) To assist United States agencies in providing assistance under section 4 of the European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019.”
5. Progress reports
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the President shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on progress made in providing assistance for projects under section 4 that includes—
a description of the energy infrastructure projects the United States has identified for such assistance; and
for each such project—
a description of the role of the United States in the project, including in early-stage project support and late-stage project support;
the amount and form of any debt financing and insurance provided by the United States Government for the project;
the amount and form of any early-stage project support; and
an update on the progress made on the project as of the date of the report.