Bill Summary
The "Taiwan Energy Security and Anti-Embargo Act of 2026" is proposed legislation aimed at enhancing Taiwan's energy security and resilience in the face of potential threats from authoritarian regimes, particularly the People's Republic of China. The bill recognizes Taiwan as a vital democratic partner to the United States in the Indo-Pacific region and seeks to diversify Taiwan's energy sources by promoting U.S. energy exports and collaborations.
Key provisions include:
1. **Promotion of Energy Exports**: The Act authorizes U.S. officials to facilitate and prioritize energy exports to Taiwan, particularly liquefied natural gas (LNG), and to support energy projects that bolster Taiwan's energy sources.
2. **Infrastructure Resilience**: It emphasizes building resilience in Taiwan's energy infrastructure against asymmetric threats, including cyberattacks and sabotage, by enhancing cybersecurity measures and physical security.
3. **Nuclear Energy Considerations**: The legislation encourages Taiwan to maintain and modernize its nuclear energy capabilities, recognizing its potential for providing clean and reliable power.
4. **Insurance for Shipping**: It allows the Secretary of Transportation to provide insurance for vessels transporting vital goods to Taiwan, addressing maritime threats.
5. **Ongoing Congressional Oversight**: The Act mandates regular assessments and reports to Congress on the progress and challenges in enhancing Taiwan's energy security.
Overall, the bill aims to strengthen U.S.-Taiwan relations through energy cooperation, enhance regional stability, and ensure Taiwan's resilience against external pressures. Importantly, it reaffirms that it does not alter the U.S. One China policy.
Possible Impacts
The "Taiwan Energy Security and Anti-Embargo Act of 2026" can affect people in various ways. Here are three examples:
1. **Increased Energy Security for Taiwan**: The legislation aims to enhance Taiwan's energy resilience by promoting diversified and reliable energy sources. This could lead to more stable energy prices and reduced susceptibility to energy supply disruptions, benefiting residents and businesses in Taiwan by providing a more reliable energy supply. In turn, this may improve overall quality of life and economic stability for the Taiwanese population.
2. **Job Creation in the U.S. Energy Sector**: By prioritizing U.S. energy exports to Taiwan and facilitating investments in energy infrastructure, the legislation could result in job creation within the U.S. energy sector. Companies involved in the production, export, and technological development of energy resources may see increased demand for their services. This could lead to more job opportunities and economic growth in regions that have significant energy industry presence, thus positively impacting workers and their communities.
3. **Collaboration on Energy Infrastructure and Cybersecurity**: The Act encourages collaboration between the U.S. and Taiwan to enhance energy infrastructure resilience, including cybersecurity measures. This could provide employment and training opportunities for individuals in Taiwan's energy sector, as well as those in the cybersecurity field. Additionally, improved energy infrastructure security could protect citizens from potential threats, enhancing public safety and confidence in the stability of energy supplies.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7873 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7873
To promote the energy security of Taiwan, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 9, 2026
Mr. Harrigan (for himself, Mr. Olszewski, and Mr. Lawler) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, 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 promote the energy security of Taiwan, 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 ``Taiwan Energy Security and Anti-
Embargo Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Taiwan is a vital democratic partner the energy
security of which is critical to the strategic interests of the
United States in the Indo-Pacific region.
(2) Enhancing Taiwan's energy resilience through
diversified and reliable sources reduces vulnerability to
coercion, disruption, or attack by authoritarian regimes.
(3) The United States possesses abundant supplies of energy
resources, technologies, and expertise that support economic
growth, job creation, and the national security interests of
the United States.
(4) Promoting United States energy exports to and
partnerships with Taiwan aligns with United States energy
diplomacy objectives, strengthens bilateral economic and
security ties, and contributes to regional stability.
(5) Taiwan's energy infrastructure, including electric grid
systems and liquefied natural gas import facilities, is
vulnerable to asymmetric and kinetic threats from the People's
Republic of China.
(6) Supporting Taiwan's efforts to improve the resilience
and security of its energy infrastructure advances deterrence
and promotes continuity of government operations in the event
of a crisis.
(7) In 2024, the United States exported 212,837,000,000
cubic feet of liquefied natural gas to the People's Republic of
China and 118,162,000,000 cubic feet of liquefied natural gas
to Taiwan. That export imbalance indicates that the United
States could help meet Taiwan's needs for liquefied natural gas
by redirecting a portion of exports of liquefied natural gas
currently destined for the People's Republic of China to
Taiwan, assuming sufficient import and storage capacity in
Taiwan.
SEC. 3. PROMOTION OF UNITED STATES ENERGY EXPORTS AND ENERGY
INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE FOR TAIWAN.
The Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act (22 U.S.C. 3351 et seq.) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``PART 8--PROMOTION OF UNITED STATES ENERGY EXPORTS AND ENERGY
INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE FOR TAIWAN
``SEC. 5540A. DEFINITIONS.
``In this part:
``(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
`appropriate congressional committees' means--
``(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the
Senate; and
``(B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the
Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the Committee on
Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.
``(2) Asymmetric threat.--The term `asymmetric threat'
means a threat posed by unconventional means, including a
cyberattack, sabotage, or economic coercion, designed to
undermine or disrupt the operation of critical infrastructure.
``SEC. 5540B. PROMOTION OF UNITED STATES ENERGY EXPORTS TO TAIWAN.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary of State, in coordination with the
Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Energy, may prioritize
efforts to support and facilitate--
``(1) United States energy exports to Taiwan; and
``(2) the development of energy projects that diversify
Taiwan's energy sources.
``(b) Activities.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretaries
may--
``(1) engage with United States liquefied natural gas
producers, exporters, and infrastructure entities to identify
and address barriers to liquefied natural gas exports and
storage projects intended for the market of Taiwan;
``(2) facilitate coordination between United States private
sector entities, relevant governing authorities, and private
sector stakeholders in Taiwan, including to promote investment
in energy projects in Taiwan and the export of United States
technologies to Taiwan;
``(3) provide diplomatic and technical support for
liquefied natural gas exports, exports of other United States
energy resources and technologies, and storage and related
infrastructure for any relevant energy projects linked to
Taiwan;
``(4) consult with Taiwan to assess and strengthen
liquefied natural gas import and storage capabilities; and
``(5) coordinate interagency efforts to ensure cohesive and
sustained United States support for Taiwan's energy security.
``(c) Assessment Required.--Not later than one year after the date
of the enactment of the Taiwan Energy Security and Anti-Embargo Act of
2026, the National Academy of Sciences shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees an assessment of--
``(1) potential opportunities for boosting exports of
liquefied natural gas produced in the United States to Taiwan,
including by redirecting exports of such gas that flow to the
People's Republic of China as of such date of enactment;
``(2) potential ways the United States could shift the flow
of such exports toward Taiwan; and
``(3) potential ways the United States could support
efforts to redirect such exports to Taiwan.
``SEC. 5540C. ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE CAPACITY BUILDING.
``(a) Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of the Taiwan Energy Security and Anti-Embargo Act of 2026,
the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense
and the Secretary of Energy, may seek to engage with appropriate
officials of Taiwan for the purpose of cooperating with the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Defense,
and the head of any other applicable ministry of Taiwan for capacity
building to enhance energy infrastructure resilience, including
defensive military cybersecurity activities.
``(b) Identification of Activities.--In carrying out subsection
(a), the Secretary of State may identify cooperative activities--
``(1) to enhance cybersecurity programs to protect grid
operating systems, liquefied natural gas and other energy
storage terminals, and supervisory control and data acquisition
systems;
``(2) to support physical security improvements,
operational redundancy, and continuity-of-operations planning;
``(3) to engage in joint training exercises and scenario-
based planning with relevant agencies in Taiwan; and
``(4) to support workforce development, emergency response
planning, and institutional modernization of energy sector
operators.
``(c) United States-Taiwan Energy Security Center.--The Secretary
of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, may establish a
joint United States-Taiwan Energy Security Center in the United States,
leveraging the expertise of institutions of higher education and
private sector entities to foster dialogue and collaboration for
academic cooperation in energy security and resilience.
``(d) Authorization of Assistance.--The Secretary of State, in
coordination with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy,
may provide technical assistance to support the activities described in
subsection (b) or the center described in subsection (c).
``(e) Implementation.--
``(1) In general.--Assistance under this section shall be
provided through the American Institute in Taiwan and in
consultation with relevant authorities in Taiwan, consistent
with the Taiwan Relations Act (22 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.).
``(2) Notification.--Any assistance provided by the
Department of State pursuant this section shall be subject to
the regular notification requirements of section 634A of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2394-1).
``(f) Briefings.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of the Taiwan Energy Security and Anti-Embargo Act of 2026,
the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense
and the Secretary of Energy, shall provide to the appropriate
congressional committees a briefing on the implementation of this
section.
``SEC. 5540D. ANNUAL REPORT.
``(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of the Taiwan Energy Security and Anti-Embargo Act of 2026,
and annually thereafter for 3 years, the Secretary of State, in
coordination with the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Energy,
and the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report that--
``(1) describes actions taken under this part;
``(2) identifies barriers to--
``(A) increased United States energy exports to
Taiwan;
``(B) increased investment in Taiwan's energy
sector that would strengthen Taiwan's energy
resilience;
``(C) energy infrastructure security cooperation;
and
``(D) enhancing the resilience of Taiwan's energy
supply against economic coercion and supply chain
disruptions, with due consideration for national
security implications;
``(3) evaluates the effectiveness of capacity building and
technical assistance activities carried out under section
5540C; and
``(4) provides recommendations to expand and diversify
Taiwan's energy sources and improve future bilateral energy
cooperation between the United States and Taiwan.
``(b) Form.--Each report required by subsection (a) shall be
submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex.''.
SEC. 4. TRAINING TO IMPROVE TAIWAN'S CRITICAL ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE
PROTECTION.
Section 5504(a)(3) of the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act (22 U.S.C.
3353(a)(3)) is amended by inserting after ``capabilities'' the
following: ``and critical energy infrastructure protection''.
SEC. 5. FINDINGS AND SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING TAIWAN'S USE OF
NUCLEAR ENERGY.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) According to the International Atomic Energy Agency,
nuclear energy--
(A) is the second safest source of energy;
(B) is one of only 2 clean energies that offer non-
stop baseload power required for sustainable economic
growth and improved human welfare; and
(C) when compared with other sources of electricity
from cradle to grave, has the lowest carbon footprint,
uses fewer materials, and takes up less land.
(2) A nuclear fuel assembly lasts up to 6 years, making
supply more resistant to maritime disruption.
(3) Taiwan has built a robust civilian nuclear capability
over previous decades that has shown the potential to provide
clean, reliable power to Taiwan.
(4) On May 17, 2025, the Maanshan-2, Taiwan's last
operating nuclear power plant, was shut down after its 40-year
operating license expired.
(5) There are compelling economic and security reasons to
evaluate placing existing infrastructure back in service to
ensure Taiwan has clean, reliable power that is more resilient
in a contingency.
(6) As a result of Taiwan's substantial use of energy in
industrial manufacturing and production, and emerging energy
requirements for electrification, artificial intelligence, and
data center support, there is considerable benefit for Taiwan
to evaluate new small modular reactors technology to augment
its energy capacity and resilience.
(7) As Taiwan modernizes its military, the power demand
from command-and-control systems, intelligence platforms, drone
operations, and joint battlespace integration will continue to
increase.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) it is in the interests of both the United States and
Taiwan for Taiwan--
(A) to maintain nuclear power as an energy source;
and
(B) to utilize new nuclear technologies, including
Gen III+ nuclear reactors and small modular reactor
technology; and
(2) the United States should prioritize assistance and
cooperation with Taiwan on nuclear energy to improve technology
exports and job creation in the United States and energy
security and resilience in Taiwan.
SEC. 6. INSURANCE FOR VESSELS TRANSPORTING VITAL GOODS TO STRATEGIC
PARTNERS.
Section 53902 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(d) Vessels Transporting Vital Goods to Strategic Partners.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Transportation may
provide insurance and reinsurance under this chapter for any
vessel engaged in commerce transporting critical energy,
humanitarian, or other goods to Taiwan or another strategic
partner of the United States that is facing coercive maritime
threats if the Secretary determines, in consultation with the
Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, and the Director
of National Intelligence, that providing such insurance or
reinsurance is necessary to support vital strategic commerce or
to deter coercive maritime behavior that undermines regional
security.
``(2) Nonapplicability of certain condition.--The condition
under section 53902(c) shall not apply with respect to a vessel
described in paragraph (1).''.
SEC. 7. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION REGARDING CONTINUED UNITED STATES POLICY
TOWARD TAIWAN AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC
OF CHINA.
Nothing in this Act may be construed as a change to the One China
Policy of the United States, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations
Act (22 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.), the three United States-People's Republic
of China Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances.
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