*EPF212 12/14/2004
Text: U.S. Power Sector Agrees to Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Reductions
(Emissions intensity to be cut 3-5 percent below 2000-2002 baseline levels) (660)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and a major trade association signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) December 13, establishing a voluntary framework for reducing the greenhouse gas emission intensity -- measured as carbon-equivalent emissions per unit of economic output -- of the power-generation sector.

According to a DOE press release, the group, Power Partners, includes the American Public Power Association, Edison Electric Institute, Electric Power Supply Association, Large Public Power Council, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Nuclear Energy Institute and Tennessee Valley Authority.

"The power generation sector is responsible for about a third of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, so getting reductions from this sector is obviously important," said Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham.

The Power Partners pledged to reduce collectively the power sector's greenhouse gas emissions intensity by an equivalent of 3 to 5 percent (measured as emissions per unit of electricity produced) below 2000-2002 baseline levels.

The MOU establishes goals for the public-private partnership and proposes actions to further partnership objectives, including developing and deploying new technologies.

Information about Power Partners is available at http://www.ji.org/climate_05.pdf

Text of the DOE press release follows:

(begin text)

U.S. Department of Energy
Press release, December 13, 2004

Department of Energy - U.S. Power Sector Sign MOU on Voluntary Efforts to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

WASHINGTON DC -- The U.S. Department of Energy and Power PartnersSM����a group comprised of the American Public Power Association, Edison Electric Institute, Electric Power Supply Association, Large Public Power Council, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Nuclear Energy Institute, and Tennessee Valley Authority����today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a voluntary framework for reducing the greenhouse gas emission intensity of the power generation sector.

Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham lauded the agreement, saying, "The voluntary commitment and activities set out in this MOU will go a long way toward meeting the President's ambitious emissions intensity objective. The power generation sector is responsible for about a third of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, so getting reductions from this sector is obviously important. This agreement����the first of its kind with the power sector����lays a foundation for progress and demonstrates the value of strong public-private partnerships in reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

Power PartnersSM is one of 13 trade associations or business groups taking part in the Climate VISION (Voluntary Innovative Sector Initiatives: Opportunities Now) program, a Presidential initiative established on February 12, 2003, support the President's goal of reducing the greenhouse gas emissions intensity of the United States' economy (measured as carbon-equivalent emissions per unit of economic output) by 18 percent between 2002 and 2012. Power Partners have pledged to reduce collectively the power sector's greenhouse gas emissions intensity by an equivalent of 3 to 5 percent (measured as emissions per unit of electricity produced) below 2000-2002 baseline levels, as measured over the 2010-2012 period.

The MOU signed today establishes goals for the public-private partnership, sets out general principles, and proposes actions to further the partnership's objectives. The MOU also recognizes the importance of developing and deploying new technologies. Under the MOU, DOE and Power Partners will work together to develop a process for identifying high-priority areas for the research, development, demonstration & deployment of technologies that could contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Speaking on behalf of Power PartnersSM, Edison Electric Institute President Thomas Kuhn said, "All of the Power PartnersSM believe this is a critical step in reducing greenhouse gas intensity in the United States. The seven power groups will collectively work toward achieving the goal for the sector, setting the stage for significant progress in addressing greenhouse gases."

For more information on the Climate VISION, please visit the programs website at: http://www.climatevision.gov.

For more information on Power PartnersSM, please visit: http://www.ji.org/climate_05.pdf.

(end text)

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

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