US, UK Sign Energy R&D Agreement

3/10/2003

From: Jeanne Lopatto, 202-586-4940, or Drew Malcomb, 202-586-5806 both of the U.S. Department of Energy

LONDON, March 10 -- Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham and the Right Honorable Patricia Hewitt, U.K. Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.K. Department of Trade and Industry in London that will allow their cooperation in several broad areas of energy research and development.

In addition to the signing ceremony, Secretaries Abraham and Hewitt discussed issues related to energy diversity and security as part of the on-going collaboration on key elements of the U.S. U.K. energy domestic and international energy policies. The collaboration has a strong focus on deepening cooperation in relation to environmental, economic, and developmental issues, and includes the private sector in implementing these objectives.

"The Department of Energy's advanced fossil energy programs have shown significant progress in finding new ways to improve our methods of resource recovery, from clean coal projects to natural gas turbines and drill pipe telemetry," Energy Secretary Abraham said. "But as we all know, fossil energy is an international commodity and the more nations can share their advances and achievements with others, the more we can enhance the world's energy security."

The MOU will allow the Energy Department and the Department of Trade and Industry to exchange information and personnel to explore improvements in the fields of clean coal technology, research and development, fuel diversity, environmental protection, energy security, and the expansion of international trade.

Along with fossil energy collaboration, the MOU will allow the two nations to pursue advancements in renewable energy, waste-related management and the environment, and energy end-use technologies and techniques.

The MOU will be in effect for ten years, and will include exchange visits by both nation's participants, development of a training and internship program and joint development of programs to enhance the overall research endeavor.

The participants will meet at least annually to discuss research priorities and new initiatives, improve cost-effectiveness and reduce duplication of efforts.