WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV), co-chair of the Congressional Energy Export Caucus, led 49 of her colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to German Chancellor Angela Merkel advocating for increased energy cooperation between the United States, Germany, and all European allies. Signed by fellow Congressional Energy Export Caucus co-chairs, Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Jodey Arrington (R-TX), and Lou Correa (D-CA), the letter also cautions against European reliance on Russian energy.
Currently, over 45 percent of the European Union's natural gas is imported from Russia. Congresswoman Miller's letter sheds light on the risks associated with relying on Russian energy, including the continued construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which would give Russia even greater leverage over the security of America's European allies. Additionally, given the recent arrest of opposition figure Alexei Navalny in Russia, Congresswoman Miller's letter calls on European nations to stand up to Russia's clear disregard for human rights and democracy, and to instead work with the United States on further energy cooperation.
"The United States is blessed with abundant natural resources, and we have worked diligently to make them available to our allies across the world. The U.S. stands ready to supply the energy that Germany and Europe need to power their continued growth and strengthen their security by diversifying away from Russian energy and influence. Further, this is an opportunity for Germany and America to deepen our alliance, recognize our shared goals of security and peace in Europe, and continue tackling the global climate challenge," the letter states.
"With our world-renowned energy resources, such as coal and natural gas, the United States stands ready to help power our European allies," said Congresswoman Miller. "Energy security is national security, and I call on Germany and all of our friends across the Atlantic to ensure their own energy security by choosing America – not Russia – to power their communities. I am proud to stand alongside my fellow Congressional Energy Export Caucus co-chairs and my colleagues in this bipartisan effort to make sure Russia's authoritarian regime has no place in international energy exports."
"The United States is the world's leading producer of clean, affordable, and reliable natural gas, allowing us to meet our needs and increase our exports to our European allies," said Congressman Cuellar. "Strengthening our energy partnership will help our economies grow while reducing Russia's stronghold. The time is now to rethink our energy relations in order to put a check on Putin's economic grip on the region."
"Europe is giving Putin's authoritarian regime the keys to their future security by increasing European reliance on Russian natural gas," said Congressman Arrington. "American natural gas exports would not only be a better and more reliable source of energy for Europe, it would be a safer one."
The Congressional Energy Export Caucus was founded by Congresswoman Miller with co-chairs Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Jodey Arrington (R-TX), and Lou Correa (D-CA) with the goal of increasing American energy exports around the world.
Click here to read the full letter.
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Original source can be found here.
