News
These news items are aggregated from the U.S Government trade agencies. For older news items, please visit the agencies’ web sites directly.
April 2013 |
April 2013
USTDA Supports Wind Project in Chile
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a $610,000 grant to Empresa Eólica Tablaruca S.A. of Chile to build a 99 MW wind farm on the Chilean island of Chiloé. USTDA will also fund a feasibility study, which will be open to U.S. firms for bidding soon. Check the USTDA Business Opportunities website for more information. [April 2013]
FirmGreen, Inc. Named Ex-Im Bank Renewable Energy Exporter of the Year
FirmGreen, Inc., a small firm that produces biogas equipment and hydrogen technology for fuel cells, was named the Renewable Energy Exporter of the Year by Export-Import Bank of the United States. Supported by a $48.6 million loan from Ex-Im, FirmGreen’s equipment will help build a biogas plant in Brazil, creating 165 new jobs at the company’s U.S. facilities. [April 2013]
USTDA Awards Grant to Support IT and Smart Grid Development in Vietnam
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a grant to the National Power Transmission Corporation of Vietnam to support a technical assistance program to expand and modernize Vietnam’s transmission infrastructure. The program also promotes the priorities of the U.S.-Asia Pacific Comprehensive Partnership for a Sustainable Energy Future, announced by President Obama in November 2012. [April 2013]
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Announces 20 Companies for Infrastructure Trade Mission
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank announced that 20 U.S. companies will join her on an infrastructure business development trade mission to Brazil, Colombia, and Panama from May 12 to 18, 2013. Companies include Fluidic Energy, a sustainable energy storage company, and OSISoft, Inc., which develops smart grid technology software. [April 2013]
USTDA and State Department Participate in U.S.-China Energy Cooperation Program
USTDA Director Leocadia I. Zak and Secretary of State John Kerry attended the annual U.S.-China Energy Cooperation Program meeting in Beijing on April 13, 2013. Director Zak also announced a new smart grid substation communication architecture pilot project in China led by Cisco Systems, Inc. and funded by USTDA. [April 2013]
DOE Launches New Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative
The U.S. Department of Energy launched the Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative (CEMI) as part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to revitalizing America’s manufacturing sector. Through private sector partnerships and further supply chain analysis, the CEMI is will ensure U.S. leadership in the clean energy sector and boost the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers. [March 2013]
USTDA Supports Adoption of Smart Grid Technologies in Colombia
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a $463,944 grant to XM Compañía de Expertos en Mercados S.A. E.S.P. (XM) to support its efforts to develop an advanced control system for the Colombian transmission grid. XM has identified Raleigh, N.C.-based Quanta Technology, LLC as the U.S. contractor for technical assistance on system design. [March 2013]
DOE to Partner with East Asia Summit on Renewable Energy Deployment
The U.S. Department of Energy announced its partnership with Brunei to co-chair a new workstream of activities to promote and accelerate the deployment of renewable energy technologies in the countries of the East Asia Summit. This includes working to eliminate investment barriers and increase project financing opportunities. [March 2013]
United States and Brazil Hold Second Strategic Energy Dialogue Meeting
The U.S. Department of Energy Deputy Secretary Daniel Poneman and Brazil’s Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy co-chaired the second meeting of the Strategic Energy Dialogue in March. The U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum occurred simultaneously, showing the commitment of the public and private sectors of both countries to deepen cooperation between the two energy sectors and advance economic ties, particularly in the clean energy sector. [March 2013]
Ex-Im Bank Supports U.S. Wind Exports to Honduras
The Export-Import Bank of the United States approved a $28.6 million direct loan for the expansion of the Cerro de Hula Wind Farm in Santa Ana, Honduras. The loan enables Gamesa Wind US, LLC, based in Pennsylvania, to supply and export twelve high-tech wind turbines for the project. Ex-Im Bank’s loan will support an estimated 200 jobs with associated exporters. [March 2013]
Ex-Im Bank Provides $9 Million Loan to India Solar Project Supplied by U.S. Exports
The Export-Import Bank of the United States is backing a 11.6 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) project in Rajasthan, India with a $9 million direct loan, which will support the export of thin-film solar panels produced by Calif.-based company Miasole for the project. Miasole has announced that due to its growing export business, it will add 200 jobs in 2013. [March 2013]
OPIC Board Approves Financing for Wind Projects in Pakistan and Peru
The Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation has approved a total of $288 million in financing for two wind projects in Pakistan and Peru. The 50 MW project in southeastern Pakistan will feature GE Wind-manufactured turbines, while the 114 MW project in northeastern Peru is sponsored by New York-based international power generation company ContourGlobal. [March 2013]
Request for Comments Concerning Proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Agreement
USTR is seeking public comments on the proposed TTIP with the European Union, including regarding U.S. interests and priorities, in order to develop U.S. negotiating positions. Comments may be provided in writing by May 10, 2013 and orally at a public hearing May 29-30. [March 2013]
United States Challenges India’s Restrictions on U.S. Solar Exports
United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced that the United States has requested World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement consultations with the Government of India concerning domestic content requirements in India’s national solar program. [February 2013]
Deputy Secretary of Commerce Blank Meets with New RE&EE Advisory Committee
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank appointed 37 private-sector representatives to the newly re-chartered Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee, which held its first meeting on Wednesday, February 20. [February 2013]
Smart Grid Workshop Forges U.S.-Turkey Partnership
As Turkey continues to invest in and modernize its electricity sector, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency hosted a workshop in Istanbul focusing on smart grid technologies. The event helped strengthen ties between U.S. and Turkish electricity industry partners and furthered the development and interconnection of clean energy infrastructure in Turkey. [February 2013]
Department of Commerce Announces Antidumping Duty Order on Chinese Wind Towers
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced it will issue an antidumping duty order on utility-scale wind towers manufactured in China based on the International Trade Commission’s decision that these imports caused material injury to the U.S. wind industry. [February 2013]
U.S. Hosts First Environmental Affairs Council Meeting under U.S.-Korea FTA
The U.S. Trade Representative and the Department of State co-chaired the first meeting of the Environmental Affairs Council along with the Ministry of Environment of Korea to discuss environmental cooperation under the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, including the promotion of clean energy. The meeting was held February 20. [February 2013]
Online Resource Mapping Tool Launches on IRENA website
The International Renewable Energy Agency announced in January the launch of the world’s first open-access resource mapping tool for renewable energy. The Global Atlas, a joint initiative of 37 countries, combines global maps and data for solar and wind energy resources and will expand to other forms of renewable energy in the next few years. [January 2013]
Industry Groups Can Get Up to $300,000 for Foreign Market Development Projects
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration has opened this year’s Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) Awards, which awards up to $300,000 to industry groups for projects that enhance the global competitiveness of U.S. exporters. Applications are due by February 28, 2013. [January 2013]
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) will guarantee a $780,000 loan to finance the export of photovoltaic (PV) solar modules manufactured by Suniva, Inc. to a solar rooftop project in central Mexico. The project will be one of the largest of its kind in Mexico. Ex-Im’s financing for this and other projects has helped to sustain 190 jobs at Suniva’s manufacturing facility in Norcross, Ga. [January 2013]
USAID Signs Agreement with Government of Georgia to Promote Private Hydropower Project Development
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has partnered with the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Georgia to support implementation of the Georgian Electricity Market Model 2015 (GEMM 2015). GEMM 2015 is designed to promote private development of hydropower projects by enabling plants to more easily sell electricity to Turkey and other regional markets. [January 2013]
ITA Partner Launches US-China Clean Tech Center in Tianjin, China
Representatives from the U.S. Commercial Service in Beijing and the Innovation Center for Energy and Transportation announced the launch of the U.S. China Clean Tech Center (CTC) at the Tianjin Economic Development Area’s Low-Carbon Economy Promotion Center (TEDA ECO Center). The US-China CTC will serve US clean tech exporters to China by providing match making services and events, leading trade missions, and supporting ITA trade promotion activities. [January 2013]
