Chairman Duncan on the hearing: “The issue of energy in the region is a huge opportunity for advancing U.S. interests, creating jobs, and realizing economic growth. Stronger energy security would give the U.S. and our neighbors greater freedom and lessen our dependency on countries in the Middle East for natural resources. Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru all have significant oil or natural gas production. Chile also hosts the world’s second-largest lithium reserves. These abundant resources coupled with recent regulatory reforms have created an opening for greater U.S. energy collaboration with countries in South America. This hearing will focus on ways our country can increase our energy engagement to benefit U.S. and regional interests.”

Opening Statements

Witnesses

Mr. Jorge R. Pinon
Director
Latin America and Caribbean Program
Jackson School of Geosciences
The University of Texas at Austin
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

Ms. Lisa Viscidi
Director
Energy, Climate Change, and Extractive Industries Program
Inter-American Dialogue
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

Mr. Jason Bordoff
Professor and Director
Center on Global Energy Policy
School of International and Public Affairs
Columbia University
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

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Hearing transcript (PDF)