July 8, 2009—Energy efficiency and renewable energy were the major focuses of energy ministers and other government leaders from throughout the Americas at the recent Americas Energy and Climate Symposium in Peru, according to news from the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
At the symposium, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced a Low Carbon Communities Program, which will assist countries in developing energy efficiency and renewable energy programs that will reduce the carbon footprint of their urban communities.
Through the initiative, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will partner with participating countries to develop building energy standards and to adopt modern urban planning strategies, including transit-oriented development. DOE will provide technical assistance and limited funding to help achieve those goals.
Energy leaders also announced the development of a Regional Energy Efficiency Center, supported by Peru, and a Regional Wind Center, supported by Mexico.
The symposium was the first major energy event after the Summit of the Americas in April, where President Barack Obama announced the formation of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA).
The president invited all Western Hemisphere countries to be part of a united effort under the ECPA, and since then, EERE says the regional response has been overwhelmingly positive across all five elements of the ECPA: energy efficiency, renewable energy, cleaner fossil fuels, critical infrastructure, and energy development to help alleviate poverty.
