The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) maintains long-standing scientific ties with the EU and Member States, leveraging scientific instrumentation, expert knowledge, and shared merit review criteria in calls for proposals, joint publications in scientific journals, and joint workshops. The leading forum to guide bilateral energy cooperation is the U.S.-EU Energy Council, a high-level body launched in 2009 to deepen coordination on strategic energy issues of mutual interest and R&D cooperation. The Secretary of Energy co-chairs the Energy Council with the Secretary of State on the U.S. side. The EU’s High Representative for External Affairs, Vice President for Energy Union and Commissioner for Energy and Climate serve as co-chairs on the EU side. The U.S.-EU Energy Council has convened seven times since its inception. The U.S.-EU Energy Council is supported by three working groups: Energy Technology Working Group, Energy Policy Working Group, and Energy Security Working Group.
In addition, the United States and European Commission (EC) enjoy an active dialogue on energy issues in international fora such as the International Energy Agency (IEA), Generation IV International Framework (GIF), Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM), and Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF).