He held a SFRC hearing a few months ago on oil and political power with a focus on Russia, former Soviet Republics, etc., including Georgia, where the built and proposed pipelines are, etc. He certainly views our lack of energy independence as a major national security weakness for the U.S. He's concerned about Russian control of oil in that region, and about the need for more high-level diplomacy.
http://foreign.senate.gov/hearings/2008/hrg080612p.html has link at the top to the hearing video itself; his statement is here:
http://biden.senate.gov/press/statements/statement/?id=f200ba2a-b14c-4c91-89bc-a10e6a2a297fa few excerpts
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“It is played out in a region rife with its own historical instabilities, shifting alliances, and shaky regimes. And this region is one of immense importance to our security and the security of our allies. It is mostly Muslim nations that are uncertain whether to look West or East. Its hydrocarbons fuel Europe and could offer additional supply for a global market that is maxed out.
“But there are also opportunities there for us to pursue, opportunities for diplomatic and security success that could contribute to a more stable region and a more stable global energy future. These opportunities are there, but only if we seize them, only if we give this region and these challenges the attention, resources, and diplomatic skill they need – at the highest level.
“As complicated as the flows of oil and gas into, through, and out of this region look on a map, the basic elements we will examine today are clear.
“Russia controls the old, Soviet-era infrastructure for moving oil and gas in the region. That infrastructure reinforces Russian influence, because on top of its own oil and gas, Russia is the major buyer of its neighbors’ hydrocarbon resources and a major seller of those same resources, through its pipelines to Europe. That arrangement suits Russia just fine.
“As we discussed in our hearing yesterday on Sovereign Wealth Funds, Russia has amassed a ‘Stabilization Fund’ of over $127 billion. They have used some of that wealth to buy into the parent company of Airbus, and have threatened to expand those holdings substantially. That company is a major European defense supplier.
“No wonder the President and Prime Minister of Russia spend more time running Gazprom than they do running the country. It is not just the sheer volume of oil and money that is enhancing Russia’s power. They have shown that they are willing to use their dominance of both ends of most existing pipelines to extract not just economic deals, but, increasingly, political influence.
“Russians love chess. Our strategic response on the chess board of Central Asia must be to establish a presence on parts of the board they do not yet control. That means laying down new pipelines that add alternatives - that introduce real competition - to the monopoly Russia has enjoyed. Giving more choices to both suppliers and customers should help wring waste and inefficiency out of the system – bringing a situation where supply and demand, not threats and bribes, set prices.
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“And we need diplomacy to forge a common strategy among energy consuming countries in Europe, a shared effort that can confront Russian dominance. That puts diplomacy at the center of our approach to this region. A key question for this hearing must be: are we deploying the diplomatic resources, the attention, this issue demands?
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“One way to form a common response to the power of energy exporters is a global deal to reduce the threat of climate change by cutting emissions from fossil fuels. That will mean global-scale commitment to alternatives and to rules that give investors a predictable future, a smart deal that protects economic growth. The longer we delay that deal, the longer we delay our own domestic energy and climate plan, the weaker our hand in dealing with Russia, or with OPEC. Our addiction empowers them.
“I have worked with Senator Lugar on a Resolution calling for renewed U.S. leadership in international climate negotiations. Progress on those talks will be part of a move away from our dependence on oil, the root of so many of our foreign policy issues."
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The downside of him being swept up into the VP position was not getting a public briefing from him about his trip to Georgia. I'm very curious what he saw and heard there; all we know is his proposal for humanitarian aid.
With Condi and Cheney running around the world making who knows what deals, I would love to have Biden hold a hearing when the Senate is back in session on some of these issues.
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