WASHINGTON, July 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. Interior Department announced it set up a committee to guide the country's implementation of a transparency framework for energy resources.
U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said the government set up a committee to oversee implementation of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. EITI is voluntary mechanism meant to ensure a level of transparency in natural resource revenues.
"This transparency initiative will also help to ensure that American taxpayers receive every dollar due for the extraction of these valuable public resources," Salazar said in a statement.
EITI Chairwoman Clare Short said Salazar's announcement follows a commitment from U.S. President Barack Obama.
"I'm pleased that the Department of Interior has advanced the process and established the country's multi-stakeholder group," she said.
The U.S. EITI panel will be a federal advisory group of 21 members who could come from state, local and tribal representatives as well as members of the public and the industry.
