Bill Summary
This is a bill proposed by the United States Congress called the "Protect European Energy Security Act". It requires the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence to provide reports on the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, a gas pipeline being built by Russia to Germany. The bill states that the completion of this pipeline could potentially increase European energy consumption and dependence on Russian energy, and could have negative effects on Ukraine if they lose transit fees. It also references a previous Act which states the US government's policy to work with European countries to promote energy security and oppose the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The bill also requires a report on the impact of the pipeline on US interests and security, European energy security, Russian influence in Europe, and Ukraine. The reports must be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex. The bill defines the appropriate congressional committees to receive these reports.
Possible Impacts
1. The Act could potentially increase tensions between the United States and Russia, as it requires the Secretary of State and Director of National Intelligence to report on the construction of a Russian gas pipeline.
2. The Act may also affect European energy security and diversification, as it aims to reduce European reliance on Russian energy sources.
3. The Act could also have economic implications for Ukraine, as it raises concerns about potential losses in transit fees from the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2023 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2023
To require reports by the Secretary of State and the Director of
National Intelligence relating to construction of the Nord Stream 2
pipeline, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 2, 2019
Mr. Heck (for himself, Mr. Conaway, Mr. Barr, Mr. Carson of Indiana,
Mr. Chabot, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Cook, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Mr.
Gallego, Mr. Harris, Mrs. Hartzler, Mr. Himes, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Huffman,
Mr. Hurd of Texas, Ms. Kaptur, Mr. Kilmer, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Mrs.
Rodgers of Washington, Mr. Meadows, Mr. Olson, Mr. Quigley, Mr. Rooney
of Florida, Mr. Turner, and Mr. Weber of Texas) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs,
and in addition to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
(Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require reports by the Secretary of State and the Director of
National Intelligence relating to construction of the Nord Stream 2
pipeline, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Protect European Energy Security
Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The Russian Federation is constructing a gas pipeline
from Russia to Germany, named the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, the
completion of which could address potential increases in
European energy consumption but also increase European
dependence on Russian energy and have destabilizing effects on
the Government of Ukraine if Ukraine loses energy transit fees
as a result of construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
(2) According to experts, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline would
transport 80 percent of Russia's current gas exports to Europe
through one single pipeline system, which would run counter to
the European Union energy policy of energy security and
diversification of supply.
(3) Section 257(a) of the Countering America's Adversaries
through Sanctions Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-44; 22 U.S.C.
9546(a)) states in part that it is the policy of the United
States--
(A) ``to work with European Union member states and
European Union institutions to promote energy security
through developing diversified and liberalized energy
markets that provide diversified sources, suppliers,
and routes''; and
(B) ``to continue to oppose [the Nord Stream 2
pipeline] given its detrimental impacts on the European
Union's energy security, gas market development in
Central and Eastern Europe, and energy reforms in
Ukraine''.
(4) On January 27, 2018, then-Secretary of State Rex
Tillerson stated, ``[T]he United States opposes the Nord Stream
2 pipeline. We see it as undermining Europe's overall energy
security and stability . . .''. Tillerson further stated that
the pipeline would allow Putin to use energy as a ``political
tool''.
(5) On March 11, 2018, German chancellor Angela Merkel
acknowledged ``political'' and ``strategic'' concerns regarding
the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and stated that the pipeline ``is
not just an economic project, but that, of course, political
factors must also be taken into account''.
(6) Gazprom, a Russian energy company, is controlled by the
Government of the Russian Federation, which, according to the
European Commission's Statement of Objections to Gazprom dated
April 22, 2015, has undertaken efforts to use gas as a weapon
of coercion.
(7) The Department of State, led by the Bureau of Energy of
Resources, has worked extensively with allies, including
Denmark, to thwart such Russian efforts.
SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that the United States should--
(1) continue to oppose construction of the Nord Stream 2
pipeline and other Russian Federation gas pipelines in northern
Europe; and
(2) take affirmative diplomatic steps to halt the
construction of such pipelines.
SEC. 4. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Report by Secretary of State.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit
to the appropriate congressional committees a report on actions
the Department of State is taking to implement section 257 of
the Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions Act of
2017 (Public Law 115-44; 22 U.S.C. 9546).
(2) Elements.--The report shall include details on the
following:
(A) Efforts by the Department of State since August
3, 2017, to work with European Union member states and
institutions to promote energy security and decrease
their dependence on Russian sources of energy,
including use of the Countering Russian Influence Fund
authorized pursuant to section 254 of the Countering
America's Adversaries through Sanctions Act of 2017
(Public Law 115-44; 22 U.S.C. 9543).
(B) Diplomatic efforts undertaken by the Department
of State to oppose directly the Nord Stream 2 pipeline
and the Turk Stream pipeline.
(C) An estimation of European natural gas supply
demand from 2019 through 2023.
(b) Report by Director of National Intelligence.--Not later than 90
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of
National Intelligence shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a report on the impact of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline on--
(1) United States interests and security objectives;
(2) European energy security and defense posture;
(3) Russian influence in Europe; and
(4) Ukraine, including the implications of reductions in
transit fees as a result of Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
(c) Form.--The reports required by this section shall be submitted
in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.
(d) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(1) in the House of Representatives--
(A) the Committee on Armed Services;
(B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs;
(C) the Committee on Energy and Commerce; and
(D) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence;
and
(2) in the Senate--
(A) the Committee on Armed Services;
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations; and
(C) the Select Committee on Intelligence.
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