What is the importance of the European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019 for the United States, Poland, and other Central European countries?
By PAC Policy Intern Alexander Tantum
The European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019 (S.704) was introduced in the Senate on March 7, 2019 by Senator Christopher D. Murphy (D-CT), along with Cosponsors Ron Johnson (R-WI), Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Cory Gardner (R-CO). The bill remains in its early stages, with it being read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations on March 26, 2019. Even though the Act still has steps ahead for it to become law, it possesses a significant amount of potential with regards to helping Poland along with other Three Seas Initiative (3SI) and European countries. There are benefits to be had for the countries which are involved.
The goal of the United States in enacting the European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019 would essentially be to diversify the energy sources available throughout Europe along with the supply routes. The United States aims to accomplish this goal through diplomatic and political support to the European Commission along with governments of Central and Eastern European countries. Additionally, the bill details that the United States will assist Central and Eastern European countries through private sector investment in projects that will diversify energy sources and supply routes. Through the diversification of energy sources and supply routes, Poland along with other 3SI member countries will not have to rely on the Kremlin for oil and natural gas as they have had to do in the past. The Kremlin will no longer possess the ability to weaponize oil and natural gas and have a monopoly on those resources. By not being forced to rely upon the Kremlin, Poland and other 3SI countries will have better energy economies, and with that, better economies overall. With stronger economies and a greater ability to rely upon themselves, Poland and 3SI countries will only become more powerful and united. Through the European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019, the United States will also be able to carry out their own goals with regards to global energy security. Additionally, they will be accomplishing the goal of countering the Kremlin’s overall influence in Europe and Eurasia. The European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019 has bipartisan support in the Senate, and would provide numerous benefits for various countries. Energy security will be vastly improved through this bill.