Taiwan Energy Security and Anti-Embargo Act of 2026

Bill Number

S. 2722

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-02-10: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 325.

Last Updated

2026-04-02T22:40:29Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Taiwan Energy Security and Anti-Embargo Act of 2026 aims to strengthen Taiwan's energy security by promoting U.S. energy exports, enhancing the resilience of Taiwan's energy infrastructure against threats, and supporting diversified energy sources like nuclear power. It seeks to reduce Taiwan's vulnerability to disruptions from authoritarian regimes, such as economic coercion or attacks, while advancing U.S. economic interests and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Key Provisions

• Findings (Section 2): Congress outlines Taiwan's strategic importance, the benefits of diversified energy for resilience, U.S. energy abundance, and vulnerabilities in Taiwan's grid and liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities to threats from China. It notes U.S. LNG export imbalances favoring China over Taiwan and potential for redirection.
• Promotion of U.S. Energy Exports and Infrastructure Resilience (Section 3): Amends the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act (22 U.S.C. 3351 et seq.) to add a new Part 8:
• Defines key terms like "appropriate congressional committees" (specific Senate and House panels) and "asymmetric threat" (non-traditional risks like cyberattacks, sabotage, or economic pressure on critical infrastructure).
• Directs the Secretaries of State, Commerce, and Energy to prioritize and facilitate U.S. energy exports to Taiwan (e.g., LNG) and related projects, including engaging producers, coordinating with Taiwanese stakeholders, providing diplomatic/technical support, and assessing import capabilities.
• Requires an assessment by the National Academy of Sciences on boosting LNG exports to Taiwan, including redirecting shipments from China.
• Mandates engagement with Taiwan within 180 days for capacity-building on energy resilience, including cybersecurity for grids and LNG terminals, physical security, joint training, and workforce development.
• Authorizes a joint U.S.-Taiwan Energy Security Center for collaboration, leveraging U.S. universities and private sector expertise.
• Allows technical assistance via the American Institute in Taiwan (consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act), subject to congressional notifications.
• Requires a briefing to Congress within 180 days and annual reports for three years on actions, barriers (e.g., to exports, investments, or resilience), effectiveness, and recommendations.
• Training Enhancements (Section 4): Expands U.S. training under the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act to include protection of Taiwan's critical energy infrastructure (e.g., power grids and fuel storage).
• Nuclear Energy Support (Section 5):
• Findings highlight nuclear energy's safety, reliability, low carbon footprint, and resistance to supply disruptions; notes Taiwan's past nuclear capabilities, recent shutdown of its last plant (Maanshan-2 in 2025), and growing energy needs from industry, AI, data centers, and military modernization.
• Sense of Congress urges Taiwan to maintain nuclear power and adopt advanced technologies like Gen III+ reactors and small modular reactors (compact, factory-built nuclear units); encourages U.S. prioritization of nuclear cooperation for mutual benefits.
• Vessel Insurance (Section 6): Amends U.S. maritime law (46 U.S.C. § 53902) to allow the Secretary of Transportation to insure or reinsure (provide backup coverage) vessels carrying critical energy, humanitarian, or other goods to Taiwan or other U.S. strategic partners facing maritime threats, if it supports commerce or deters coercion. Waives certain standard conditions for these vessels.
• Rule of Construction (Section 7): Clarifies the Act does not alter the U.S. One China Policy, guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, U.S.-China joint communiqués, and the Six Assurances (U.S. commitments to Taiwan's security).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act: Adds a dedicated part (Part 8) for energy exports and resilience, introduces definitions, and expands training provisions to cover energy infrastructure explicitly.
• Maritime Insurance Law (46 U.S.C. § 53902): Newly authorizes insurance for strategic shipments to partners like Taiwan under coercive threats, bypassing a prior condition (likely related to war risk exclusions), in consultation with defense, state, and intelligence officials.
• Shifts language from mandatory ("shall") to permissive ("may") in some areas (e.g., export promotion and engagements) compared to earlier bill versions, providing flexibility while retaining reporting requirements.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: U.S. departments (State, Energy, Commerce, Defense, Transportation) will coordinate more closely on energy diplomacy, requiring new assessments, briefings, and reports; increases workload for interagency efforts and assistance via the American Institute in Taiwan.
• Citizens and Economy: Boosts U.S. energy exports (e.g., LNG redirection from China), potentially creating jobs in production and shipping; supports U.S. technology exports in nuclear and cybersecurity, benefiting workers in those sectors.
• International Relations: Enhances U.S.-Taiwan bilateral ties through energy partnerships, deterring Chinese coercion by diversifying Taiwan's supplies; could strain U.S.-China relations if seen as redirecting resources, but aligns with existing U.S. policy on Taiwan. Promotes regional stability by reducing Taiwan's energy vulnerabilities in crises.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Government: Departments of State, Energy, Commerce, Defense, and Transportation; congressional committees on foreign affairs, energy, and commerce.
• Taiwanese Entities: Government ministries (Foreign Affairs, Interior, Defense), state firms like CPC Corp., energy operators, and infrastructure providers.
• Private Sector: U.S. LNG producers, exporters, nuclear technology firms, shipping companies, and universities involved in the proposed Energy Security Center.
• Broader Groups: U.S. and Taiwanese citizens reliant on stable energy; Indo-Pacific allies benefiting from redirected exports and resilience models.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Assistance must comply with the Taiwan Relations Act (framework for unofficial U.S.-Taiwan ties) and Foreign Assistance Act notifications, ensuring no direct government-to-government dealings. Maritime insurance expansion could face challenges if claims arise in conflicts, but consultations with intelligence mitigate risks.
• Constitutional: Reinforces Congress's role in foreign policy and commerce regulation under Article I; no direct constitutional issues, as it builds on existing statutes without appropriating funds (relies on discretionary authority).
• Political: Signals bipartisan U.S. commitment to Taiwan's defense against non-military threats like embargoes, potentially escalating tensions with China without altering the One China Policy. Encourages nuclear revival in Taiwan, which may spark domestic debates on safety and waste, but frames it as a security imperative. Annual reports ensure oversight, promoting accountability in executive implementation.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]

Cosponsors (4)

Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC], Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO], Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-10: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 325.
• 2026-02-10: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
• 2026-02-10: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
• 2026-01-29: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
• 2025-09-04: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
• 2025-09-04: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• Taiwan Energy Security and Anti-Embargo Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-04 — PDF (12 pages)
• Taiwan Energy Security and Anti-Embargo Act of 2026 — issued 2026-02-10 — PDF (26 pages)

Related Bills

• H.R. 7873 (119th Congress)