The Committee’s mission is to serve as the direct link between business and government in the U.S.-India energy and environment corridor by promoting best practices and market-based solutions for the full spectrum of businesses. The Committee formulates an annual work plan to address key issues and leverages platforms like the U.S.-India Strategic Energy Partnership, U.S.-India Gas Task Force, Reverse Trade Missions, and other leader-level interactions as opportunities to strengthen bilateral trade. Facilitating the exchange of ideas through pan-sector meetings and roundtables, the Committee also participates in conferences and lead industry delegations for inbound and outbound trade missions in both India and the United States.

With a team in the United States and India, our Energy Committee members are supported in their national and subnational policy and business development goals. Whether it be through national issues like understanding the provisions and implications on the energy sector of India’s Goods and Services Tax or more targeted work involving market entry strategies for their particular subsector in specific states.

A Seat at the Table: The U.S.-India Business Council provides a direct link between member companies and the U.S.-India Strategic Energy Partnership.

Renewable Energy

The Government of India’s plan to achieve 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022, including 100 GW of solar and 60 GW of wind, represents a $125 billion investment opportunity. In 2017, the additional of total renewable capacity far outstripped thermal capacity additions for the first time. The challenges around integrating renewable energy into the grid require innovative technologies, as well as continuing to making improvements on an enabling policy and regulatory framework.

Oil and Natural Gas

India imports 80 percent of the crude oil it consumes and more than half of the natural gas it consumes. A number of policies are being developed to encourage investments across the industry value chain, including an Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP), and the Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing Policy (HELP) a new natural gas pricing and exploration policy regime to spur development of the country’s energy infrastructure. The United States and India have forged closer ties through increased imports of U.S. crude and LNG, directly contributing to India’s goal of increasing natural gas to 15% of the energy mix, as noted by the two governments following the April 2018 meeting of the U.S.-India Strategic Energy Partnership.

Power

The Government of India estimates that the power sector will require investments of $250 billion, providing significant investment opportunities in one of the world’s fastest transforming power sectors. The promotion of new technologies and service like smart grids, energy storage, clean coal, hydroelectric restoration and areas of energy efficiency are a top priority.

E-Mobility

India’s goal of accelerated transition to electric vehicles represents the beginning of a unique investment opportunity. U.S. energy, technology and automotive companies are well positioned to provide input and help shape the electric vehicle market at this early stage, and research institutions are seeking to develop collaborative partnerships with their counterparts in India.

Environment

India is an emerging economic powerhouse and a critical leader on climate action. India’s water and wastewater management sector is expected to provide investment opportunities worth $13 billion for multinational companies over the next three years. This happens as the government addresses water scarcity and environmental issues and the Clean India and Smart Cities initiatives continue to grow.

• Advised a major oil and gas company on market entry conditions.
• Advised U.S. terminal owners on export opportunities to India and facilitated relationships with Indian off-takers that led to a signed contract to export U.S. natural gas to India.
• Hosted Ministry of New and Renewable Energy delegation on margins of bilateral U.S.-India Clean Energy Task Force.
• Led an Executive Energy Delegation to New Delhi in support of U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry’s visit to India and inaugural meeting of the U.S.-India Strategic Energy Partnership. Delegation participants provided interacted with and provided direct input on bilateral energy priorities to Secretary Perry and Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Pradhan.

• Launched the Electric Mobility Initiative, attended by U.S and Indian government and industry, to identify opportunities for growth and collaboration in India’s transformation and electrification of its transportation sector.
• Led a successful industry advocacy campaign that prevented the imposition of anti-dumping on imported solar cells and modules.
• Hosted U.S. Department of Energy senior officials, Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and other officials in Delhi for USIBC member engagement.

Lauren Diekman leads U.S.-India Business Council’s Energy and Environment program. Prior to joining USIBC, Ms. Diekman served as the India Advisor in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of International Affairs where she managed coordination of the bilateral energy relationship and spearheaded the U.S.-India Strategic Energy Partnership. Diekman also served in the Bureau of South and Central Asia at the U.S. Department of State where she covered a number of economic issues including: energy, environment, and innovation. Earlier in her career, Diekman served in the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs; Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration; the State Department Operations Center; and the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.

Diekman holds a MPP from American University and a B.A. from University of Toledo, Ohio. Diekman resides in Washington, D.C.

Lauren can be reached at ldiekman@usibc.com.