The Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs (PI) is the primary policy advisor to the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Under Secretary on domestic and international policy development and implementation as well as DOE policy analysis and activities.

The Office of Policy and International Affairs' role is to deliver unbiased advice to the Department of Energy's leadership on existing and prospective energy-related policies, based on integrated and well-founded data and analysis. The Office of Policy and International Affairs has primary responsibility for the Department of Energy's international energy activities including international emergency management, national security, and international cooperation in science and technology.

News & Highlights

Small Refinery Exemption Survey
Section 211(o)(9)(A)(ii) of the Clean Air Act, as amended by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005), requires that the Department of Energy (DOE) conduct a study for the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assessing whether compliance with the renewable fuel standard (RFS) would impose a “disproportionate economic hardship” on small refineries. This proposed survey of small refineries will provide technical information in support of the study.  If you have any questions about the Small Refinery Exemption Survey after reading the instructions, please contact the Policy and International Affairs (PI) Survey Manager at (202) 586-1393 or at (202) 586-1010.

To download a copy of the survey and instructions, click here.

U.S. China Clean Energy Fora
On May 26-27, 2010, U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary David Sandalow co-hosted the U.S.-China Energy Efficiency Forum, the U.S.-China Renewable Energy Forum and the U.S.-China Advanced Biofuels Forum in Beijing with China’s National Energy Administration Director General Zhang Guobao and National Development and Reform Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Xiaoqiang. These three fora were established under the clean energy cooperation measures announced by President Barack Obama and President Hu Jintao in 2009.

DOE Announces RFI on Rare Earth Metals
The Department of Energy has released a Request for Information (RFI) soliciting information on rare earth metals and other materials used in the energy sector. For more information, click here.

The responses to the RFI will help inform DOE’s understanding of supply and demand for these materials, opportunities for developing substitutes and the potential for using these materials more efficiently.  Responses are due no later than 5:00pm (EDT) on June 7, 2010, and should be submitted electronically to materialstrategy@hq.doe.gov.

To download a copy of the RFI, click here.

Energy Efficiency Conference
The U.S. Department of Energy will be hosting a major Energy Efficiency Conference for industry and government leaders at the Hilton Istanbul on June 3-4, 2010. This two-day conference, co-sponsored by the American-Turkish Council, will focus on energy efficiency in Southeast Europe and the Caucasus. It will showcase cutting-edge technologies, identify best practices, and provide guidance to businesses and governments on reducing costly energy consumption. Confirmed speakers include Turkey’s Energy Minister Taner Yildiz; Georgia’s Minister of Energy Alexander Khetaguri; Bulgaria’s Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Traycho Traikov; and Deputy Executive Director of the International Energy Association, Amb. Richard Jones. For more information, please visit www.eeconference.com

Secretary Chu Announces $37.5 Million Available for Joint U.S.-China Clean Energy Research
Secretary Chu announces the availability of $37.5 million in U.S. funding over the next five years to support the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center. Funding from the Department of Energy will be matched by the grantees to support $75 million in total U.S. research that will focus on advancing technologies for building energy efficiency, clean coal including carbon capture and storage, and clean vehicles.

Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas
At the Fifth Summit of the Americas in April 2009, President Obama proposed an Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA) to bring countries across the Western Hemisphere together to facilitate the acceleration of clean energy development and deployment, advance energy security, reduce energy poverty by sharing best parctices, encouraging investment, and cooperating on technology research, development, and deployment.  To advance these goals, energy ministers from the Western Hemisphere will meet with civil society and the private sector at the Energy and Climate Ministerial of the Americas hosted by Energy Secretary Steven Chu on April 15-16, 2010, in Washington D.C.  To learn more, please click here. 

Secretary Chu Travels to the Middle East
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu traveled to the Middle East from February 22-26 2010, to meet with senior government officials, researchers and scientific leaders, and members of the private sector as part of the Administration's efforts to continue strenghtening U.S. partnerhsips within the region.  Secretary Chu discussed a range of energy issues, including energy security and the importance of investing in a broad portfolio of energy technologies as part of the global economic recovery.  To learn more about the Secretary's trip and to view his presentation slides, click on the country links below:

Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
Qatar


Secretary Chu's Presentation at Copenhagen
On December 14, 2009, on behalf of President Obama, Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the launch of a new initiative to promote clean energy technologies in developing countries. To view the presentation, click here.
 
Fact Sheet: Clean Energy Technology Announcements
At the Copenhagen climate conference, on behalf of President Obama, Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the launch of a new initiative to promote clean energy technologies in developing countries.
 
On December 10, 2009, Assistant Secretary David Sandalow sent along a video message on developments at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP-15) in Copenhagen. To see the video message, click here. 

Please also visit the official U.S. COP-15 website at: http://cop15.state.gov/

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United States Releases Details on Clean Energy Cooperation with China
On November 17, 2009, President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao announced a far-reaching package of measures to strengthen cooperation between the United States and China on clean energy.  

U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center: Request for Information
The Department of Energy is seeking feedback from stakeholders on a planned competetetive funding opportunity announcement (FOA) to manage parts of the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center.  To view the Request for Information, please CLICK HERE.

DOE and Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology Co-Host First Ever Electric Vehicles Forum

On September 29, 2009, the first-ever U.S.-China Electric Vehicles Forum concluded in Beijing, China, bringing together more than 140 U.S. and Chinese officials from government, industry, academia and advocacy groups to discuss progress made in the electric vehicle industry to date and opportunities for collaboration and progress moving forward. For more information, click here.

Joint Statement by President Barack Obama of the United States of America and Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada on Accelerating Economic Recovery and Job Creation
Secretary Chu and Canadian Minister Jim Prentice Announce Release of Clean Energy Dialogue Report and Action Plan.

United States and South Africa Sign Agreement on Cooperation in Nuclear Energy Research and Development 
Secretary Chu and South African Minister of Energy Dipuo Peters signed a bilateral Agreement on Cooperation in Research and Development of Nuclear Energy on September 14, 2009, in Vienna.

Secretary Chu's Address to the IAEA General Conference in Vienna, Austria

Assistant Secretary Sandalow Attends White House Clean Energy Forum in Michigan
On September 2, 2009, Assistant Secretary Sandalow, along with Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and Auto Recovery Director Ed Montgomery, participated in a Clean Energy Economy Forum in Saginaw, Michigan.  At this White House-sponsored event, the leaders discussed President Obama's vision for a comprehensive energy plan to jump-start the American clean energy sector and create millions of new jobs developing technologies that will cut pollution while producing alternative sources of energy.

(From left, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm; Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle; U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gary Locke; Director of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers, Ed Mongtomery; Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs, David Sandalow)

North American Leaders Summit: Energy Deliverables
August 9-10, 2009 - Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

Statement of David Sandalow, Assistant Secretary of Energy for Policy and International Affairs, Before the Committee on Environment and Public Works, United States Senate, on “Climate Change and Ensuring that America Leads the Clean Energy Transformation" Washington, D.C., August 6, 2009

U.S.-Turkmenistan Workshop on Pipeline Integrity and Management
The Office of Policy and International Affairs sponsored a workshop in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, that brought together internationally-recognized pipeline management and integrity experts, key Turkmenistan policymakers, and local pipeline managers to discuss ways in which Turkmenistan can improve the reliability and longevity of its gas pipeline system.

Secretary Chu Announces Joint U.S.-China Building Efficiency MOU
A new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between DOE and the Chinese Ministry of Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) aims to foster collaboration and partnership in the development of improved, more efficient building designs as well as sustainable communities that rely on greater use of renewable energy.

U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center Announced
Secretary Chu, Chinese Minister of Science Wan Gang, and Administrator of National Energy Administration Zhang Guo Bao announce plans to develop a U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center that will facilitate joint research and development on clean energy by teams of scientists and engineers from both countries.

Secretary Chu Opens U.S.-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue
A public-private meeting brings together industry and government leaders to expand U.S.-Canada bilateral clean energy cooperation.

Secretary Chu Signs Memorandum of Cooperation with Chilean Energy Minister Tokman
Secretary Chu and Minister Marcelo Tokman of the Chilean National Energy Commission signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to further collaboration between the two nations on a series of energy issues.

Americas' Energy Leaders Take Action to Realize Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas
Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs David Sandalow and other government energy leaders from across the Americas came together with major energy corporations and other experts in Lima, Peru, on June 15 and 16, 2009, at the Americas Energy and Climate Symposium.

Assessing Economic Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Mitigation, June 2009
This report summarizes the proceedings of a workshop, sponsored jointly by the U.S. Climate Change Technology Program and the National Academies in October 2008. The report synthesizes views and commentary of established experts on the economic impacts of proposed policies related to mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and on ways to improve such information for decision-makers.

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