	Energy as a Security Issue

The growth of China and India as large consumers of energy, coupled with an inability to develop reliable and affordable alternatives to oil and natural gas, has led to the belief that the power to ensure access to international energy resources has shifted from energy consumers to energy producers. The United States and its European allies are discussing the appropriate institutions and policies for ensuring energy security. European Views on Energy Security

Most European countries are heavily reliant upon imported energy. NATO member states increasingly believe that the alliance must be a global player with global partners. Russia is also a factor.
Energy security is of increasing importance to the United States and its European allies, as some energy producers are using oil and gas for political leverage. Although most European allies believe that a market solution exists to ensure security of energy supplies, NATO has begun to discuss the issue as an allied concern. This report will be updated periodically. See also CRS Report RL33636, The European Union ' s Energy Security Challenges , by [author name scrubbed]. (Note: this study was originally a memorandum for Senator Richard Lugar and is printed as a CRS report with his permission.)