Newly-established bureau, headed former US ambassador to Mexico, to focus on expanding energy resources worldwide
It can often seem as if the US establishment is stuck in a time warp when it comes to energy and the environment. Congress is dominated by Republicans who doubt the existence of man-made climate change (and evolution). The White House has backed away from regulating smog.
But now comes news from the State Department of a re-organisation recognising the connection between energy supplies and international security.
The State Department's new bureau of energy resources will focus on maintaining stable supplies of affordable energy; promoting green technology, including the US industry; and expanding access to electricity to the 1.3bn people who currently live without it.
The 55-person bureau will be headed by Carlos Pascual, who was forced to resign as US ambassador to Mexico last March after WikiLeaks published his criticism of the authorities' fight against drug trafficking.
In a briefing for international press on Tuesday, Pascual insisted the new unit did not represent a downgrading in the importance the US gives to climate change.
"What we are doing in the energy bureau is not an alternative to the discussion on climate change," Pascual said. "I see myself as a partner to the team that is working on climate change. They are setting the broad paramenters, but in the end we have to ask ourselves: 'how does that translate into the discussions we have to have on the market policies that exist?"
Between the lines, however, it looks like Pascual is going to be devoting far more of his attentions to gas than to wind, solar, or other renewable energies.
In his remarks, Pascual noted the explosive growth of shale gas in the US, and around the world.
"Shale as a commodity is becoming part of an active process of international negotiations," he said.
He went on: "We support additional gas on global markets as long as it is done in an environmentally sustainable way."
In addition to encouraging development of shale gas to relieve pressure on oil, Pascual will also be keeping a close eye on China, one of the biggest energy users in the world.
Obama administration officials have often complained of the Chinese government's support for wind and solar industries. China invested $48bn in renewable energy last year.
Pascual said the office would work with China to develop new energy technologies and push for greater access to Chinese markets.
One area of energy Pascual will not be working on: tar sands. He said he had been "recused" from dealing with the Alberta tar sands or the controversial proposed Keystone XL pipeline to Texas.