*EPF208 09/03/2002
Text: U.S. to Transfer More Energy Technologies to Poor Countries
(Commits to bringing electricity to 2,000 million people) (-90)

The United States is expanding its programs aimed at transferring energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies to developing countries, the Energy Department says.

Announcing August 31 the "Clean Energy Initiative" at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, Under Secretary of Energy Robert Card said that the Unites States is committed to sharing its experience in developing and using these technologies with international partners, according to the department's news release.

The energy efficiency and renewable technologies programs are the main part of the initiative that includes making new generating capacity more efficient, bringing electricity to 2,000 million people and promoting cleaner transportation fuels, the department said.

In making the announcement Card also described some existing U.S. clean energy programs in developing countries, it added.

(Note: In the text "billion" equals 1,000 million.)

Following is the text of the Energy Department's news release:

(begin text)

August 31, 2002

U.S. Department of Energy Expands Energy-Efficient and Renewable Energy Technologies to Developing Countries

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA -- Under Secretary for Energy, Science and Environment at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Robert G. Card today announced an expanded effort to deploy energy efficiency and renewable technologies to developing countries at the World Summit on Sustainable Energy.

"Sustainable development in any country calls for an increased use of renewable energy and the efficient use of all energy resources," Card said. "The United States has a quarter century of experience in developing and using these technologies, working with our research laboratories, public-private partnerships, states and non-governmental organizations. We are committed to sharing this experience with international partners as we work together for a sustainable future."

The DOE efficiency and renewable energy programs are a major feature of the United States "Clean Energy Initiative: Powering Sustainable Development from Village to Metropolis" presented today in Johannesburg. The U.S. Initiative has three goals:

-- 1. Energy Efficiency for Sustainable Development to reduce waste, save money, improve reliability and optimize investments in new generating capacity.

-- 2. The Global Village Energy Partnership to bring electricity to the two billion persons in the world now without it and to another billion who experience frequent supply disruptions.

-- 3. Healthy Homes and Communities to promote cleaner transportation fuels and healthier indoor cooking and heating equipment.

Under Secretary Card also highlighted a number DOE's international efforts that include:

-- The energy efficiency investments at the Gostomel glass plant in Kiev, Ukraine. DOE supported an energy-saving audit at the plant ? one of several audits under a DOE and USAID [U.S. Agency for International Development] project ? which led to an investment of $2.7 million with a payback of three years.

-- A pilot project in China that is replacing existing motors with energy-efficient motors and showing a payback period of seven months.

-- The Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program (CLASP), a program seeking the harmonization of international standards and labels. CLASP is led by the International Institute for Energy Conservation, the Alliance to Save Energy and DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. CLASP is active in China, Mexico, India, Brazil, Ghana and Poland.

-- Renewable resource assessment and mapping to provide a developing country with basic information about its unique mix of solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and other renewable resources. DOE will draw on its experience with renewable village power projects in Chile, Russia, China, Mexico, Brazil and other regions.

-- DOE Clean Cities International which has worked with international partners to create border coalitions in Tijuana, Juarez and Monterrey, Mexico; and in Winnipeg and Toronto, Canada. The Department of Energy is creating coalitions in Mexico City; Lima, Peru; Santiago, Chile; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; New Delhi, India; and Manila, the Philippines.

Additionally, the Department of Energy has issued a compendium of sustainable energy and water success stories for the Delegates and attendees of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. The report, "Energy and Water for Sustainable Living: A Compendium of Energy and Water Success Stories," can be accessed electronically at: http://www.pi.energy.gov//library/ewsl.html.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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