U.S. signs energy pact with China

BEIJING, China – The U.S. Departments of Energy and Agriculture and China’s National Development and Reform Commission recently agreed to strengthen and expand cooperation on biofuels production and use.
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) promotes energy security interests between the two countries with the ultimate goal of significantly reducing fossil fuel consumption by increasing the use of clean, renewable fuels such as those derived from biomass.
Representing the United States at a signing ceremony in Beijing, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Clay Sell signed the memorandum with National Development and Reform Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Xiaoqiang.
Cooperation. “As the two largest energy consumers and automobile markets in the world, we are eager to strengthen cooperation with China to increase the use of renewable and alternative fuels to power our nation’s vehicles,” Sell said.
This memorandum specifically encourages cooperation in biomass and feedstock production and sustainability; conversion technology and engineering; biobased product development and usage standards; and rural and agricultural development strategies.
China, the world’s third-largest ethanol producer behind the U.S. and Brazil, is the first Asian country to sign a biofuels agreement with the United States to accelerate the development of second-generation biofuels.
Other agreements. As part of the United States’ broader effort to work with its international partners to expand the development and use of clean, efficient and affordable energy technologies, this announcement follows two bilateral agreements signed in September between the U.S. Departments of Energy and China’s National Development and Reform Commission.
The first agreement aims to promote large-scale deployment of next-generation efficiency vehicle technologies in the U.S. and China, specifically focusing on electric, hybrid-electric, fuel cell and alternative fuel technologies.
The second agreement signed in September aims to significantly increase cooperation and energy efficiency in China’s industrial sector, which accounts for 70 percent of the country’s total energy demand.