31 January 2002

U.S. to Host International Energy Summit in Detroit

G-8 ministers to discuss international energy security

The United States will host world leaders for an international energy summit May 2-3 in Detroit, Michigan.

According to a January 31 press release, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham and Michigan Governor John Engler announced that the meeting will bring together energy ministers of the G-8 -- Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, plus representation from the European Union -- to explore issues of energy cooperation and understanding.

Abraham said President Bush has strongly emphasized the importance of diversity in the supply of fuels as a foundation for energy security, and the need to work closely with other nations on energy security strategies.

Abraham said Detroit is an appropriate site for the meeting because of the greater Detroit region's "diverse energy mix," which includes nuclear power, coal, oil, natural gas, hydropower and other renewable sources. Detroit is also the site for a superconductivity pilot program that searches for new ways to carry huge amounts of current safely and efficiently, he said.

The Bush administration has asked the Canadian government to serve as co-host for the energy ministerial.

Following is the text of the press release:

U.S. Department of Energy

January 31, 2002

Abraham, Engler announce Detroit to host G-8 Energy Summit

DETROIT, Michigan -- Detroit will be in the spotlight this May as it hosts world leaders for an international energy summit, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham and Michigan Governor John Engler announced today at a press conference in Detroit.

"I am delighted to join Governor Engler today to announce that on May 2 and 3, here in the City of Detroit, the United States will host an official meeting of the energy ministers of the G-8 nations," Secretary Abraham said.

"This meeting is an important part of the President's National Energy Plan which directs us to work with other nations to promote and implement policies geared toward meeting the energy and environmental challenges of the 21st Century," Abraham said.

According to Secretary Abraham, the Bush Administration has put a high priority on creating better energy partnerships with global partners in the G-8 nations. The May meeting will bring together the energy ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the European Union to explore issues of cooperation and understanding relating to energy, issues that each year are more and more global in scope.

"When I first met with President-elect Bush to discuss the possibility of becoming the Secretary of Energy, one of the things he strongly emphasized was the importance of a diversity in the supply of fuels as a foundation for energy security," Abraham said.

"He and I both agreed on the need to develop energy strategies to increase energy production around the world and to work closely with other nations to build international energy security."

During the 2000 campaign then-Governor Bush raised the idea that the Secretary of Energy should have regular, institutional consultations with the energy leaders of other nations. He incorporated this thinking into the National Energy Policy that was released last May, which specifically called for holding meetings with the energy ministers of the G-8 nations.

"I found in my discussions with energy ministers from various developed countries a lot of enthusiasm for the idea," Abraham noted. "And so to move it along, I offered to host the first of what I hope will be annual forums. I am pleased to say this proposal was also enthusiastically received."

"Detroit is a uniquely appropriate venue for a gathering of the developed world's energy leaders. It is a hub of North American ingenuity and technological wizardry, both as headquarters for the automotive industry as well as an ever-important locus for the semiconductor and other vital industries. This is a community and a region that understands international issues. Michigan's universities offer world-class scientific research, such as the Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at my alma mater, Michigan State.

"The greater Detroit area is a laboratory where energy's future is taking shape. The region boasts a diverse energy mix, with nuclear power, coal, and hydro providing power along with oil and gas and other renewables. Research into new technologies steams ahead every day. And Detroit has an interesting DOE component as well, as the site for a superconductivity pilot program that searches for new ways to carry huge amounts of current safely, efficiently, and reliably."

The G-8 energy meeting in Detroit will seek answers of how all of these developing technologies can be applied most effectively to meet our energy challenges. Michigan increasingly is one of the places people are turning to for answers to these challenges, as the Freedom CAR announcement at the auto show proved several weeks ago. Freedom CAR is a revolutionary program to work with the automotive industry on fuel-cell technology so that in the future, cars and trucks will be powered by hydrogen, not gasoline.

The Bush Administration has asked the Canadian government to serve as co-host for this energy ministerial meeting, and the Honorable Herb Dhaliwal, Canadian Minister of Natural Resources who appeared at the press conference today with Secretary Abraham and Gov. Engler, has agreed. Last summer Prime Minister Chretien announced plans for holding the overall G-8 2002 Summit for heads of state in Alberta.

"I have every reason to be proud of this state and this community," Abraham added. "And frankly one of the main reasons I am so looking forward to this meeting is just to have the chance to show the world what Detroit and Michigan have to offer. We have a variety of innovative industries working on cutting-edge technologies, a skilled and diverse population, and a proven track record of fostering international cooperation."

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