US Senate panel okays US-India Energy Security Co-operation bill

Washington, May 24 (UNI) The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee has approved the Energy Security Co-operation Act seeking to promote global energy security through increased co-operation between India and the US.

Sponsored by the committee Chairman Richard Lugar, the US-India Energy Security Co-operation Act of 2005, which is entirely different from the US-India civilian nuclear deal, was forwarded last night for final approval by the full Senate.

The legislation on the US-India nuke deal, sponsored by the Bush administration, is still pending for action by the US Senate and the US House of Representatives with Democrats stalling it in an election year.

US-India Energy Security Co-operation Act of 2005 is expected to promote global energy security through increased co-operation between the US and India in diversifying sources of energy, stimulating development of alternative fuels, developing and deploying technologies that promote the clean and efficient use of coal, and improving energy efficiency.

According to US Senate website the Energy Security Act declares that it is the policy of the US to: (1) co-operate with India to address common energy challenges, to ensure future global energy security, and to increase the world-wide availability of clean energy; (2) promote dialogue and increased understanding between the US and India on our respective national energy policies and strategies as an integral part of the expanding strategic partnership between the two countries; and (3) collaborate with India in energy research that fosters market-based approaches to energy security and offers the promise of technological breakthroughs that reduce oil dependency globally.

It also authorises the President to establish programs in support of greater energy co-operation between the United States and India.

The legislation sponsored by Mr Lugar which is most likely to be adopted by Senate very soon also authorises assistance for co-operation related to research, development, and deployment in selected areas, including: (1) clean coal and emission reduction technologies and carbon sequestration projects; (2) alternative fuel sources, such as ethanol, bio-mass, coal-based fuels, and hydrogen; and (3) energy efficiency projects.

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