Coordinator for International Energy Affairs Briefs on Global Shale Gas Initiative

26 August 2010

The U.S. Department of State’s Coordinator for International Energy Affairs David L. Goldwyn yesterday gave a briefing at the Global Shale Gas Initiative Conference in Washington DC.  The conference was part of the State Department’s effort to promote global energy security and climate security around the world.  At the briefing, Coordinator Goldwyn responded to a question on “predictions concerning Poland.”  He said, “[Poland] has large-scale shale formations… So we have high hopes for Poland, but with any country, you can’t predict until they draw.”

 Ambassador Feinstein said, "The Polish delegation brought to Washington a set of lessons and experiences from which other countries could learn.  The GSGI was the latest in a series of cooperative efforts aimed to deploy U.S. technology and investment to develop cleaner, more secure energy resources.” While visiting Krakow in July, Secretary Clinton said, “We think that Poland, in particular, has a very good opportunity to be a leader in a full range of energy issues, including shale gas… At the political and national level, this is a very good sign of Polish leadership in the energy sector, because energy security and independence is one of the most important aspects of national security in today’s world.”

In April, Secretary Clinton and Foreign Minister Sikorski established a high-level dialogue to build deeper public and private cooperation on regional energy security.  U.S. investment in "shale gas" exploration holds the promise of converting Polish dependence on imported natural gas into an alternative, secure Polish supply of natural gas exports for the region.  The U.S.-Poland Shale Gas Working Group brings our two governments together to support the safe, successful introduction of U.S. shale gas extraction technology into Poland