U.S., Brunei warm to low-carbon economy

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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei, March 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. and Brunei governments will work to promote the development of renewable energy in East Asia, the U.S. Energy Department said.

U.S. Energy Department Deputy Secretary Daniel Poneman met in Brunei with Minister of Energy Pehin Dato Mohammad Yasmin Umar.

"They agreed that the United States and Brunei will create, and jointly chair, a new workstream of activities on renewable energy power generation to promote and accelerate the deployment of renewable energy technologies in the countries of the East Asia Summit," the Energy Department said.

The 16 parties to the East Asia Summit in 2007 agreed to explore renewable projects to bolster energy security.

The Energy Department said the relationship with Brunei is a response to plans to address energy poverty through a U.S.-Asia Pacific comprehensive energy partnership as announced in November by U.S. President Barack Obama and Asian leaders.

The Brunei relationship outlines plans to encourage investments in the renewable energy sector and to conduct research on building a sustainable hydropower sector in East Asia.