The Department of State and the Department of Energy hosted the annual U.S.-Canada Energy Consultative Mechanism (ECM) meeting on December 2 with representatives from the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).

The meeting was co-chaired by Special Envoy for International Energy Affairs David Goldwyn and Department of Energy Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia, Europe and the Americas Phyllis Yoshida. Other participating U.S. agencies included the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects. This annual dialogue reinforces the robust energy relationship between our two countries and serves as a means to review issues of mutual interest in our bilateral energy trade and relationship. The United States purchases more oil, natural gas, uranium, and electricity from Canada than from any other country. The ECM serves as a means to review issues of mutual opportunity and concern. This year’s discussion focused on the future of North American natural gas markets, offshore drilling, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and efforts to promote energy efficiency, develop renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in both countries.