The Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure hosted an expert panel discussion on European energy connectivity and its impact on U.S. energy policy decisions in the U.S. Capitol on December 1st.
The experts throughout the event underscored the significant role America can play in alleviating the EU’s infrastructure challenges and particularly providing fuel sources in high demand including oil and natural gas.
The event featured a panel that included former U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Richard Kauzlarich; former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary András Simonyi; energy expert Douglas Hengel, whose experience draws from more than 30 years at the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in the Czech Republic; Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic, Peter Zelenak; and Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania, Mindaugas Zickus.
Aii’s Chairman and CEO, Brigham McCown served as the moderator for the discussion. “EU imports more than half of the energy it consumes. There is a great opportunity here for the United States to assist in strengthening EU’s infrastructure through its own abundant resources, ultimately bolstering this region’s energy outlook and security,” said McCown.
Ambassador (ret.) András Simonyi stressed the security benefits of having U.S. export its resources abroad. “U.S. oil and gas is a strategic asset for the EU and a very important element of security. America must take a role in making the EU less dependent on resources from threatening regions including Russia. I would urge the Secretary of Energy and this administration to greenlight policies that will allow U.S. to share its energy resources,” said Simonyi.