With elections in December, the next president of Chile will, like counterparts across the region, face challenges to ensure the country’s continued socioeconomic prosperity. Santiago looks to renewable energy, liquid natural gas, and potentially nuclear power to satisfy its energy needs.

The AS/COA Energy Action Group hosted a panel on energy and climate change in the Western Hemisphere. Following the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago in April and in advance of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December.

COA’s Director of Energy Policy Nicole Spencer says building a hemispheric energy partnership would be “smart politics” for the Obama administration. Cooperation on energy and climate change issues now could pave the way for enhanced regional relations.