Secretary Chu Opens U.S.-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue

Public-private meeting brings together industry and government leaders to expand bilateral clean energy cooperation

Washington, DC — U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu made opening remarks at the first U.S.-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue Roundtable at the Department of Energy Headquarters in Washington, DC. The public-private meeting, which was held June 29-30, brought together leaders from private industry to meet with U.S. and Canadian energy leaders to solicit industry input on the goals and activities of the U.S.-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue.

"By working together to develop clean energy technologies and combat climate change, the United States and Canada can spark an economic recovery that will benefit both of our nations," said Secretary Chu. "I'm pleased to lead this effort on behalf of the United States because the possibilities for progress are real and undeniable, and we must seize them. By listening to the perspective of private industry at this first meeting, we can set an ambitious but achievable course for this dialogue, as we work to further both of our nations' clean energy goals."

The Clean Energy Dialogue (CED) was announced in February when President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper met in Ottawa. The CED is charged with expanding clean energy research and development; developing and deploying clean energy technology; and building a more efficient electricity grid based on clean and renewable energy in order to reduce greenhouse gases and combat climate change in both countries. U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Canadian Minister of Environment Jim Prentice serve as the lead government officials for moving the Clean Energy Dialogue forward.

Specific areas for further bilateral cooperation under the Clean Energy Dialogue include renewable and energy efficiency technologies such as next generation biofuels, cleaner engines, and home and building efficiency improvements; carbon capture and sequestration; and more efficient, clean, "smart" electrical grids.

This week's roundtable will solicit private sector input on the most productive activities to undertake and ways to accelerate deployment of new clean energy technologies into the marketplace. Discussions during facilitated break out sessions in each of the three focus areas will concentrate on ways to advance these technologies through joint collaboration.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Energy