WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Governments of Canada and the United States took another step on the development of clean energy technology under the Canada–U.S. Clean Energy Dialogue.
The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources, and Steven Chu, U.S. Secretary of Energy, signed the Declaration of Intent (DOI) for Cooperation in Energy Science and Technology. The DOI provides a formal structure for collaborative activities between the two countries focused initially on expanded research and development in bioenergy and carbon capture and storage.
“Canada, in partnership with the United States, is investing in research and development on new clean energy technologies in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a low-carbon economy,” said Minister Paradis. “We are working together, under the Clean Energy Dialogue, to ensure economic competitiveness includes leadership on the environment.”
The DOI was highlighted under the Canada–U.S. Clean Energy Dialogue Action Plan put forth by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Barack Obama in September 2009. It will facilitate the sharing of resources and the exchange of technical information on research and development activities related to bioenergy and carbon capture and storage.
The DOI will benefit a number of collaborative projects between Canada and the U.S. For example, it will facilitate the advancement of the North American Carbon Atlas Project, which is developing a common approach to mapping geological areas in North America that could be suitable for carbon capture and storage. It will support research into the productivity and harvesting methods of algae and its ability to produce biofuels. The DOI will also allow for further development of new coal gasification technology to reduce emissions from the production of coal.
The DOI was signed following the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas, where ministers from countries in North and South America gathered to discuss strengthening energy security, promoting alternative energy resources and acting together to address the effects of global climate change.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Natural Resources Minister Christian Paradis today signed a declaration of intent with the U.S. that will focus resources and knowledge in clean energy technology research and development. The declaration will help both countries jointly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance clean energy.
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- Canada–U.S. Clean Energy Dialogue Declaration of Intent for Cooperation in Energy Science and Technology
Information on the Clean Energy Dialogue Report to Leaders and Action Plan is available at http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=2822
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