Helsinki Commission Energy Transparency video

U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission), and Co-Chairman Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) have just released a video promoting transparency in the energy sector. The video includes U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and experts Ian Gary, senior policy advisor for extractive industries with PWYP member Oxfam America, and Jonas Moberg, head of secretariat at EITI, speaking about how transparency in oil, gas and mining can empower citizens to hold governments accountable and gain benefit from their countries’ natural resource wealth.

The video explains the Energy Security Through Transparency Act (S. 1700), which is co-sponsored by eight Senators, including Helsinki Commissioners Whitehouse (D-RI), and Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) and is a crucial piece of legislation that would require any company registered with the US authorities (Securities and Exchange Commission) to disclose their payments in every country of operation.