§13555 Consultative Commission on Western Hemisphere Energy and Environment

Summary

It lets the President ask the U.S. representative to the Organization of American States to start talks to set up a Consultative Commission on Western Hemisphere Energy and Environment under the OAS. Congress found that countries in the Western Hemisphere are economically linked, that energy and environmental issues affect each other and cross borders, that countries must plan energy with environmental limits for long‑term growth, that the region has energy resources but shortages could hurt development, and that U.S. energy markets connect with other countries. The Commission would study energy and environmental trends for the whole hemisphere and recommend actions, policies, and institutions to improve cooperation on using resources and protecting the environment, both regionally and globally. Members would include national energy and environment officials, lawmakers with energy/environment duties, and other expert observers chosen by each government. A small expert staff would support it. The Commission would end five years after its agreement unless the governments agree to extend it for another five years. The President must report, within one year after October 24, 1992, to the named House and Senate committees on progress.