John Sheehan, a senior strategic analyst at the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, analyzes the long-term limits of greater biofuel use. Alternative energy topped the agenda at recent meetings between U.S. President Bush and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Writing in the Financial Times, AS/COA Chairman of the Board William Rhodes warns of a coming market correction and recommends prudent lending and investing.

To explore energy policy in the Andean Region, with a specific focus on Colombia, the Americas Society and Council of the Americas convened media and public sector experts to look at energy reform, energy integration, and oil production and exploration. This summary provides an overview of the main points from the discussion.

Otaviano Canuto, an executive director at the World Bank, believes biofuels may yield a triple dividend: greater energy security, a cleaner environment, and more economic development. For less developed countries, biofuels offer an outlet for using idle or underemployed human and natural resources.

Ambassador Veroneau discusses labor standards in pending hemispheric free-trade agreements and looks more broadly at trade promotion with Brazil and the rest of the Americas. How does Latin America’s developing trade relationship with Asia affect U.S. interests?

Stefan Krauter, chair of Rio World Climate and Energy Events, and Keith Parsons examine alternative energies in Brazil and throughout the Americas. Both large and small projects, including wind energy initiatives, will be critical to meeting energy demands.

Topics in this issue:
• Chávez’s new term
• Nationalization plans
• Oil companies