42 U.S.C. § 16341 — Western Hemisphere energy cooperation

(a) Program: The Secretary must carry out a program to promote cooperation on energy issues with countries of the Western Hemisphere. (b) Activities: Under the program, the Secretary must fund activities working with those countries to: (1) increase the production of energy supplies; (2) improve energy efficiency; and (3) help develop and transfer energy supply and efficiency technologies that would benefit world energy markets. (c) Participation by institutions of higher education: As far as practical, the Secretary must carry out this program with universities involved, taking advantage of the fact that Western Hemisphere countries see universities as sources of unbiased technical and policy expertise, helping the Secretary in: (1) evaluating new technologies; (2) resolving technical issues; (3) working with those countries on developing new policies; and (4) training policymakers — particularly through universities that involve significant minority student participation, such as (A) Hispanic-serving institutions, and (B) part B institutions (historically Black colleges and universities). (d) Authorization of appropriations: (1) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; (2) $13,000,000 for 2008; and (3) $16,000,000 for 2009.