25 May 2011: The US Department of State has published a blog piece by Robert O. Blake, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, reflecting discussions at a recent National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) event on cooperative efforts between the US and India on climate change and clean energy.

In the piece, Blake highlights the Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE), which aims to improve energy access and promote low-carbon growth through the research and deployment of clean energy technologies. He indicates that the Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Center will mobilize up to US$100 million to assist in supporting PACE, and that the US Department of Energy has committed US$25 million to this Center. Blake stresses that the US has pledged to spur private sector investment in clean energy infrastructure in India through the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and the Export-Import Bank, and praises India’s role as a partner in the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM). He underscores that, taken together, these initiatives mark “the most comprehensive joint energy undertaking we have done with any country, ever.” [The Blog Article]