S. 1000: To establish an Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs.

This bill proposes the establishment of a position within the U.S. Department of State called the Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs. Here are the key points of the bill:

Establishment of the Position

The bill authorizes the creation of the Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs. This individual will be appointed by the President of the United States, with the approval of the Senate. The Ambassador will operate within the Department of State.

Duties of the Ambassador

The Ambassador will represent the United States in all matters relating to Arctic affairs. This includes the coordination of government programs and activities relevant to the Arctic region and conducting foreign policy on behalf of the United States. Their responsibilities will include:

• Leading efforts on national security within the Arctic.
• Fostering cooperation among the countries in the Arctic area.
• Promoting responsible management of natural resources and economic development initiatives.
• Protecting the Arctic environment and conserving its biological resources.
• Involving indigenous Arctic peoples in decisions that affect their communities.
• Conducting scientific monitoring and research in the Arctic region.

Areas of Responsibility

The Ambassador will maintain ongoing observation and coordination of various concerns as directed by the Secretary of State. They will focus specifically on:

• Energy policies and initiatives.
• Environmental issues, including climate change impacts.
• Trade matters specific to the Arctic region.
• Infrastructure development and maintenance in the Arctic.
• Law enforcement and political-military relations within the region.

Definitions

The bill defines the "Arctic region" as:

• The geographic area north of the 66.56083 parallel latitude.
• U.S. territory located north and west of the boundary formed by specific rivers in Alaska.
• All adjacent seas, including the Arctic Ocean and several named seas.
• The Aleutian Chain.

It also defines "Arctic countries," which include the permanent members of the Arctic Council: the United States, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia.

Additional Responsibilities

The bill allows for the Ambassador to undertake other relevant duties as assigned by the Secretary of State, further enhancing the role's flexibility in addressing Arctic issues.

Relevant Companies

• XOM - Exxon Mobil Corporation: This oil and gas company may be affected by Arctic energy policies and resource management regulations.
• CVX - Chevron Corporation: Similar to Exxon, Chevron has interests in Arctic oil exploration and would be impacted by changes in policy regarding resource extraction.
• RDS.A - Royal Dutch Shell Plc: Shell is involved in Arctic exploration and may experience direct impacts from environmental protections or regulatory changes.