New Agreement Bolsters Safety at India's Refineries
A U.S.-India Energy Dialogue meeting April 4 in New Delhi that was co-chaired by U.S. Under Secretary of Energy Clarence Albright Jr. and Indian Foreign Minister Shivshankar Menon brought the two countries farther along on joint research and development of clean energy sources. While there, Albright touted a new agreement to increase safety of Indian refineries, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
"As two of the world's largest energy users and world economies, the U.S. and India play a pivotal role in advancing global energy security," said Albright. "In meetings here in New Delhi, we discussed the importance of working together to expand the production of renewable and alternative fuels and other energy options, encourage open and competitive markets, and dramatically increase energy efficiency."
The countries' representatives signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in Gas Hydrates to guide future efforts in expanding the use of gas hydrates as a clean, abundant, natural energy resource. Among other things, the two will work together on a Gas Hydrate Technology Center in India to research methane production from natural gas hydrates in India and the United States. The agreement Albright praised is between the U.S. Trade and Development Agency and India to promote the adoption of advanced inspection and maintenance technologies for refinery safety and environmental performance.
The week's discussions with senior Indian officials included India's Secretary of Coal Harish Chandra Gupta, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora, Minister of Power Sushilkumar Shinde; and Secretary of New and Renewable Energy V. Subramanian, according to DOE, which said the U.S.-India Energy Dialogue was launched in May 2005.