CHINA, U.S. PARTNER FOR NEW ENERGY RESEARCH

US, China announce clean energy research center
Joe Macdonald (w/ Henry Sanderson, Tini Tran and Bonnie Cao), July 15, 2009 (AP via Yahoo News)

"The United States and China, the world's biggest greenhouse gas emitters, announced plans for a joint clean energy research center…The research center is an effort at compromise between the two governments, which disagree on whether China should join richer nations in adopting binding emissions-reduction targets to stave off environmental devastation from climate change.

"With initial financing of $15 million and headquarters in both countries, the center will focus on coal and clean buildings and vehicles, said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu. It highlights potential U.S.-Chinese cooperation in an industry that Washington says could create thousands of jobs…"

The collaboration between DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Lab has been fruitful for both sides of the Pacific. (click to enlarge)

"Chu and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke were in Beijing to lobby China to promote private-sector development of solar, wind, biofuels and other clean energy…Locke appealed to China to avoid trade barriers to clean technology. Some companies say Beijing is trying to build up its industry by shielding companies from competition, shutting foreign competitors out of wind power and other projects…

"China is promoting solar, wind and hydroelectric power to reduce reliance on imported oil and gas, which its communist leaders see as a strategic weakness. But Beijing has rejected binding emissions commitments, saying it is the responsibility of rich countries to cut their own output."

China's hugely successful Top 1000 program grew out of the collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley. (click to enlarge)

"Locke acknowledged such sentiments but said the environment does not care where the gases came from…Locke and Chu, both descendants of Chinese immigrants, were meeting with Chinese ministers in charge of trade, technology, health and other areas…

"Beijing opposes proposed U.S. legislation that would impose tariffs on countries that do nothing to cut emissions…Beijing sees protectionist motives behind the bill and warned that it might trigger retaliation by developing countries…Trade ties between the United States, the world's biggest economy, and No. 3 China are regarded as a key element of a recovery from the deepest global economic slump since the 1930s…[C]omplaints about import and investment barriers are a chronic irritant in U.S.-Chinese trade relations…"