U.S. and Mexico Collaborate on Capture and Reuse of Methane

 

April 4, 2006

"USAID is committed to working with EPA and the Government of Mexico to promote and find productive uses for renewable energy," said Schieck. "USAID is providing this aid in continued support for environmental protection and economic growth in Mexico to assure 'Methane to Markets Partnership' success."

U.S. EPA Deputy Administrator Marcus Peacock and USAID Acting Administrator Frederick Schieck recently joined Mexico's Undersecretary of Environment Jose Ramon Ardavin in signing the letter of cooperation, which contains terms that further efforts toward technologies that recover and use methane gas currently released from natural gas and oil systems, landfills, underground coal mines, and agricultural operations.

Under the terms of this agreement, EPA, USAID, and the Mexican Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources will work with local governments and the private sector.

The U.S. and Mexico are two of 17 countries currently participating in the Methane to Markets Partnership, an international initiative launched in November 2004 to advance cost-effective, near-term methane recovery and use as a source of clean renewable energy. Methane is a clean-burning fuel that is the main component of natural gas. The U.S. Government is committing up to $53 million over the next five years to support the Methane to Markets Partnership.

"This work will help us realize our joint commitments under Methane to Markets and meet our shared goals of reducing global methane emissions while enhancing economic growth, promoting energy security, and improving the environment," said Peacock.