WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary for Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability Kevin Kolevar and Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy James A. Slutz are in Madrid, Spain this week to participate in the 19th World Petroleum Congress—a global forum held every three years by the World Petroleum Council to address resource potential, infrastructure, the regulatory framework and other key issues related to the future of petroleum development.

On Wednesday, July 2, Assistant Secretary Kolevar will chair a panel on mitigation of energy disruptions due to natural or manmade disasters, where he is expected to highlight DOE’s critical role in energy recovery efforts during the 2005 Hurricane Season, as part of the Department’s broader mission of leading the national effort to maintain continuous and reliable energy supplies through preventive measures and restoration and recovery actions.

To ensure our nation is well equipped to respond to a disruption in energy supply, DOE’s Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE) is responsible for coordinating the protection of critical energy assets and assisting federal, state, and local governments with disruption preparation, response, and mitigation.  DOE maintains tools designed to ensure energy resources are readily available throughout all stages of an emergency—including personnel with emergency response and energy systems operations experience, leading-edge analytical modeling and visualization capabilities, coordination and contacts with private industry, state governments, and U.S. government agencies, and facilitation of special policy waivers and legal authorities by the Secretary of Energy.  Learn more about the Department’s ongoing work to ensure a secure and reliable flow of energy for the Nation at the Infrastructure Security & Energy Restoration website.

Also on Wednesday, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Slutz will lead a panel discussion focusing on environmental concerns related to coalbed methane.  Coalbed natural gas (CBNG)—also referred to as coalbed methane—has become a valuable part of our Nation’s energy portfolio. CBNG production has increased during the last 15 years and now accounts for about one twelfth of U.S. natural gas production.  As America’s natural gas demand grows substantially over the next two decades, CBNG will become increasingly important for ensuring adequate and secure natural gas supplies for the United States.

Ensuring that we can continue to rely on clean, affordable energy from our traditional fuel resources is the primary mission of DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy (FE).  Fossil fuels supply 85% of the nation's energy, and we are working on such priority projects as pollution-free coal plants, more productive oil and gas fields, and the continuing readiness of federal emergency oil stockpiles.  Read more information on FE by visiting the Office of Fossil Energy.

The World Petroleum Council’s (WPC) 60 member countries represent over 95% of the world’s major oil and gas producing and consuming nations.  For more information on the WPC and the 19th World Petroleum Congress, visit the World Petroleum Congress' website.

Media contact(s):
Bethany Shively, (202) 586-4940