U.S. Electric Power Industry Promotes Technology Development at Montréal Talks

Amid reports that negotiators in Montreal may be approaching a deal on how to proceed with future discussions on ways to address climate change, the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) urged delegates to recognize the need to develop new technologies crucial for achieving any significant reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions.

“With only a few years to go before countries are required to meet their first emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol, only three (Sweden, Great Britain, Luxembourg) are on track to succeed,” said Bill Fang, EEI deputy general counsel and climate issue director.

“If, on the other hand, negotiators here agree to launch discussions that promote development of greenhouse gas-reducing technologies, this would be a positive development that could someday produce significant emissions cuts at a much lower cost than is now possible,” Fang said.

EEI generally supports initiatives under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the G-8 dialogue and the Asia-Pacific Partnership for Clean Development and Climate, which promote technology development and deployment.

While parallel negotiations on implementation of the Kyoto Protocol underscored some countries’ continued support for near-term, binding greenhouse gas reduction commitments, those countries’ actions speak louder than words, Fang said.of negotiations, technology needs to be front and center.”

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