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

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 by the U.S. Climate Change Technology Program, and held jointly by the National Academies and PI's Office of Climate Change Policy and Technology 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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