Media Note
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
June 11, 2008
United States and Canada Hold Energy Consultative Mechanism Talks to Advance Cooperation on Energy
The annual Energy Consultative Mechanism talks between the United States and Canada concluded June 10 at the State
Department. The meeting allowed for a wide ranging exchange of views to advance cooperation in energy and the
environment.
Senior level officials attended from the U.S. Departments of State and Energy; the Office of the U.S. Federal
Coordinator, Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects; the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International
Trade; Natural Resources Canada and Canada's National Energy Board.
The two countries discussed the world's largest bilateral energy trading relationship, with energy flowing between each
country in both directions. They noted that Canada's energy reserves represent a secure, dependable, and long-term
source for the North American market. Canada is the largest energy supplier to the U.S. of oil, natural gas, uranium and
electricity.
The two governments discussed the need, on both sides of the border, to reduce the environmental footprint of producing
and consuming energy.
The United States discussed the implementation of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which is phasing in
across-the-board increases in energy efficiency standards, including an increase in corporate average fuel efficiency
standards and sustainability standards for biofuels production.
The United States and Canada discussed ongoing efforts to develop natural gas reserves in Northern North America, and
agreed to continue to coordinate closely on the permitting process for any potential cross-border natural gas pipelines.
The two governments agreed to stay in close contact to deepen coordination on economic and environmental aspects of the
growing bilateral energy trade, and to establish a working group that will continue to focus on these issues.
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Released on June 11, 2008
ENDS