ACUS Atlantic Council of the United States
	Website: http://www.acus.org   Address: 910 17th Street, NW Suite 1000 Washington, DC  20006   Telephone: +202 778-4962   Facsimile: +202 463-7241   Contact: Donald L. Guertin Director, Program on Energy and the Environment   Email: dlguertin@acus.org Overview of Current Activities: Objective The Atlantic Council has conducted an active energy program for 25 years: To address the increasing importance of domestic and international energy issues to the United States; To contribute substantively to the national and international debate on energy; To stress the role of energy in economic development and the environment. Leadership John E. Gray has chaired the program since 1975; he has fifty years' experience in the energy sector and has been founder and CEO of several energy consulting firms. The initial chairman was Henry H. Fowler, a former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and a prominent investment banker. Donald L. Guertin has managed the program since 1989. He started his career in the energy sector in 1955, primarily in research administration and international public policy with the Exxon Corporation. William J. Dircks has directed the nuclear energy policy activities since 1993 (succeeding Nelson T. Sievering). He has served as Deputy Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency and Executive Director of U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Eliane Lomax has been associate director of the program since its inception.   Key Participants U.S. executives from the oil and gas industries, the coal industry, and the electric power (including nuclear) industry. Senior officials from the U.S. government, the International Energy Agency, the Nuclear Energy Agency, the World Bank, and other inter-governmental organizations. Executives from the private and public sectors of other OECD countries and developing countries, Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Academics and environmentalists. Uniqueness of Methodology Develops consensus policy recommendations on timely issues. Involves key policy people with a stake in the issues, throughout all studies. Participants in policy projects are key spokesmen with governments and other institutions on policy recommendations.   Early History Following the first oil embargo in 1973 the Council formed its Energy Policy Committee to address the increasing importance of both domestic and international energy issues in the United States. Preliminary recommendations on energy supplies and alternatives to energy imports were published in 1975 as a policy paper, World Energy and U.S. Leadership. Projects and Activities:   The Long-Term Future for Nuclear Energy (1996-1998) Discusses the future of commercial nuclear power to the year 2050, taking into account relevant long-term global economic, political, social, environmental, non-proliferation, and security considerations, as well as the overall energy demand and supply outlook. Identifies key issues critical to the future of nuclear energy, and develops recommendations on how to address these issues, with particular attention to the U.S. role in the nuclear power field. Project co-chaired by Richard E. Balzhiser (President Emeritus, Electric Power Research Institute) and Christian Gobert (Executive Vice President, cogema). In the first phase (1997-98), the project focuses on the outlook for nuclear energy in Asia, the area where nuclear power is expected to expand in the 21st century. An international seminar is scheduled for June 1997 in Seoul, Korea. A second phase (1998-99) will build upon the Asian work and address the outlook for nuclear energy on a global basis.   The United States-Japan Energy Policy Dialogue (1981 to present) Experts and practitioners from the U.S. and Japanese private sector have met twenty-two times since 1981 for off-the-record substantive discussions of energy issues. Book entitled U.S.-Japan Energy Policy Considerations for the 1990s, 1988. Meeting venues alternate between the United States and Japan. The most recent meeting (March 1996 in Maui, Hawaii) focused on the critical developments impacting on economic progress, energy and the environment, with special attention to Russia and the other former Soviet states. The U.S. delegation has been led throughout by John E. Gray. The Japanese delegation was led by Yoshihiro Nakayama (former Japanese Ambassador to France and to Kuwait) until 1995; he was succeeded by Joichi Aoi (Chairman of the Board, Toshiba Corporation).   Energy Policy for Russia and Ukraine (1992-1995) The Council, with partners in Japan (Committee for Energy Policy Promotion and Institute of Energy Economics), in Russia (Energy Research Institute of the Academy of Sciences) and in Ukraine (Institute for Energy Saving of the Academy of Sciences), undertook a major study on energy policies for the republics of the former Soviet Union (FSU) at the end of 1992. Chaired by John E. Gray. National delegations led by Kunio Kakizawa (Chairman, itochu Energy Development Company, Japan), Alexei A. Makarov (President, Energy Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences) and Vladimir Tonkal (Director, Institute of Energy Saving Problems, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences). Objectives of the policy study: Foster creation of capital to revitalize the energy sectors of the republics; Encourage energy efficiency, to increase overall economic performance and reduce pollution; Promoting competition in the energy sector; Encourage policies that will lead to profitable enterprises which can pay taxes and not require government subsidies; Increase energy resources available for export, thereby contributing to favorable balances-of-payments. In November 1993, a first policy paper, entitled Basic Concepts for the Development of Energy Policies for Russia and Ukraine: A US-Japanese-Russian-Ukrainian Cooperative Approach was published in English, Japanese and Russian. Briefings held in the four countries for senior government officials, decision-makers in the energy sector, academia and the media. A second policy paper Cooperative Russian-Ukrainian-Japanese-US Recommendations on Energy Pricing, Taxation and Investment for the Russian Federation was published in February 1995 and was also presented at briefings in each participating country.   World Energy Efficiency Association (1993 to present) Created by the Atlantic Council in June 1993, as a result of work on energy technology transfer (see entry below). The independent Association: Assists developing countries in accessing information on energy efficiency; Serves as a clearinghouse for information on energy efficiency programs and technologies; Disseminates this information worldwide; and Publicizes international cooperation efforts in energy efficiency. Members represent over 40 developed and developing countries. Association chaired by V. Raghuraman (Secretary General, Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India).   Energy Technology Cooperation for Sustainable Development (1991-1993) The Council convened a working group of over ninety U.S. and international experts to study energy technology cooperation and transfer. Objective: to help focus international attention on the development of energy policies that promote sustainable economic growth while responsibly addressing concomitant environmental issues. Policy paper published in September 1992, Energy Technology Cooperation for Sustainable Development: Recognizes the global nature of the challenge and the need for cooperation between developed and developing countries; Proposes a set of recommendations in four categories:   Let markets dictate technology choice. Be comprehensive in developing policies and programs. Invest in people: transfer experience in addition to technology. Target financial assistance: focus on increasing energy efficiency. Study led to the creation of the World Energy Efficiency Association. Companion book published in 1993, including background papers on subjects ranging from clean coal technologies to energy efficiency.   Global Climate Change (1990-1991) In collaboration with Resources for the Future (RFF), the Japan Committee for Energy Policy Promotion, and the Japan Institute of Energy Economics (JIEE), the Council conducted an examination of how best to address global climate change issues. Co-chaired by John E. Gray, Robert W. Fri (President, RFF) and Toyoaki Ikuta (President, JIEE). Policy paper, Global Climate Change: U.S.-Japan Cooperative Leadership for Environmental Protection was published in November 1991. Recommendations include: Development of strategies in a long-term time frame (50+ years); Aggressive action to increase efficiency or reduce pollution; Decisions based on market forces; and Assistance to developing countries in reducing pollution and increasing efficiency. U.S. Energy Policy for the 1990s (1989-1990) Objective: to reassess the energy situation of the United States and its allies in the context of world energy supply/demand developments and their economic, commercial and security implications for the 1990s. Chairman: C. J. Silas (Chairman and ceo, Phillips Petroleum); vice chairmen: John E. Gray and W. Kenneth Davis (former Deputy Secretary of Energy). Participants: senior corporate executives from the energy producing and consuming sectors, prominent environmentalists, labor leaders, academics, senior journalists. Recommendations form an integrated policy to meet global energy requirements in the 1990s for economic growth, with due concern for environmental health and safety considerations. Publications: Policy paper, Energy Imperatives for the 1990s, March 1990. Bulletin of same title summarized conclusions and recommendations. Companion book published in 1992 and included chapters on energy supply and demand, U.S. oil and gas resources, electrical supply, nuclear power, global climate change, and the need for U.S. leadership in energy policy development worldwide. Energy Supply and Use in Developing Countries (1985-1988) In collaboration with the U.S. member committee of the World Energy Conference, the Council examined the status and unique problems associated with developing country energy programs. Chairman: John E. Gray. Co-chairman: W. Kenneth Davis. Policy paper, Energy Supply and Use in Developing Countries: A Fresh Look at Western (OECD) Interests and U.S. Policy Options, published April 1986. Book of the same title published in 1988; included case studies on Korea, China and Taiwan, as well as an examination of the roles of governments and the private sectors.   United States-Japan Energy Relationships (1979-1981) Marks the beginning (1979) of the long and fruitful collaboration among the Council, the Japan Committee for Policy Promotion, and the Japan Institute of Energy Economics on a large variety of energy and economic issues. Initiated the U.S.-Japan Energy Policy Dialogue which continues to this day. Co-chaired by John E. Gray and Yoshizane Iwasa, Councillor, Fuji Bank. Published a policy paper on U.S.-Japan Energy Relationships in the 1980s, June 1981. Energy Policy and Foreign Policy (1979-1981) An in-depth look at U.S. energy policy as it influences and relates to U.S. foreign policy. Co-chaired by John E. Gray and Henry H. Fowler. National case studies were commissioned to serve as the basis for the policy recommendations: Canada, Arab oil-producing Gulf states, Mexico, Venezuela, Japan. Policy paper, U.S. Energy Policy and U.S. Foreign Policy in the 1980s, published June 1981. Book of the same name, including the national case studies, published in 1981.   Nuclear Energy in the 1970s Policy papers and books published: Nuclear Power and Nuclear Weapons Proliferation, 1978 Nuclear Fuel and American Foreign Policy, 1977 Nuclear Fuels Policy, 1976 Return to Organizational Profiles