WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman will travel to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on Monday to highlight the countries’ joint efforts to ensure steady supplies of diverse energy sources, increase energy infrastructure security, and advance economic development and prosperity in the Western Hemisphere.  While in Trinidad and Tobago, Secretary Bodman will meet with Prime Minister Patrick Manning and Energy Minister Conrad Enill as well as U.S. business leaders in the region.  The Secretary’s two day visit marks his first trip to Trinidad and Tobago since being named Energy Secretary in 2005.

“As the United States’ largest supplier of liquefied natural gas—accounting for close to 60 percent of our LNG imports last year—the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is key strategic energy partner,” Secretary Bodman said.  “I am pleased to visit our ally in the Caribbean to deepen the ties between our two nations and discuss ways to further enhance our cooperation to protect critical energy infrastructure and expand our energy relationship.”

In his meeting with Prime Minister Manning and senior government officials, Secretary Bodman is expected to highlight the importance that the U.S. places in expanding alternative and renewable energy as well as ways to produce, deliver and use traditional fossil fuels more cleanly and efficiently.  Secretary Bodman is also expected to highlight the role of independent regulatory regimes and open and transparent investment climates in promoting necessary energy investments.  On Tuesday, Secretary Bodman and Energy Minister Enill will co-chair an Energy Infrastructure Assessment Roundtable Meeting with government and industry representatives to discuss opportunities to further protect and respond to man-made and natural threats to critical energy infrastructure in the Caribbean.

While in Trinidad and Tobago, Secretary Bodman will deliver keynote remarks to the American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago, and participate in an industry roundtable to highlight the need for investments in LNG production and expansion to increase energy supplies, the importance of critical infrastructure protection and the role of deploying advanced technology to increase efficiency.

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