Washington, D.C.  March 26, 1998 - Four projects chosen this month for inclusion in the U.S. Initiative on Joint Implementation employ an impressive range of renewable energy, agroforestry, and energy efficiency technologies.  These projects will provide electricity to a rural village, protect and expand forests, improve local air quality, and provide clean sources of energy for communities in Mexico and the Russian Federation, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The U.S. Initiative on Joint Implementation, part of the Clinton Administration's Climate Change Action Plan, encourages U.S. businesses and non-governmental organizations to voluntarity use their resources and innovative technologies and practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable development worldwide.  Such partnerships offer the potential to achieve greater and more cost-efficient emission reductions worldwide than would be possible in each country alone.

The USIJI now includes 32 projects in 12 countries, representing a diversity of technologies that range from energy-efficient homes to power plant conversions.  The projects are reviewed and selected by an evaluation panel composed of senior representatives from eight federal agencies.

Of the four new projects, two are located in Mexico and two in the Russian federation.  Following is a brief summary of each project.

APS/CFE Renewable Energy Mini-Grid Project - Mexico
This project involves the development of a hybrid power supply system that will use solar, wind, and diesel capacity to replace a 205-kilowatt diesel generator in the town of San Juanico, Baja California Sur State, Mexico.  The hybrid system will extend the availability of electrical service from the current 3-4 hours per day to 24 ours per day.  The project will greatly improve economic well-being and quality of life in this rural village using technologies that keep greenhouse gas emissions to a minimum.
U.S. Partners: Arizona Public Service Company of Phoenix, Arizona; Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation of Syracuse, NY.
Non-U.S. Partners: Comision Federal de Electricidad, the Mexican national utility.

Community Silviculture in the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca - Mexico
This project is designed to improve existing silviculture and forest protection activities in six communities in rural southern Mexico.  The project encompasses 49,027 hectares of land, and proposed activities include: restoration of formerly degraded forests; improved forest management; increased agricultural efficiency; and increased wood use efficiency.  This project will build on and support local community-based efforts to expand and utilize forests in a sustainable manner over the next 30 years.
U.S. Partners: Econergy International corporation of Washington, D.C.
Non-U.S. Partners: Fideicomiso de Recursos Naturales de la Sierra Norte de Oaxaca; Union de Communidades Zapoteca-Chinantecas; Union de Communidades Ixlan-Etla; Estudios Rurales y Asesoria Campesina, A.C.; Consejo Civil Mexicano para la Silivicultura Sostenible, A.C.; Secretaria del Medio Mabiente, Recursos Naturales y Pesca.

District Heating renovation in Lytkarino - Russian Federation
The project developers propose energy efficiency improvements to rehabilitate and modernize the central heating system of Lytkarino, which serves a population of 53,000.  The project includes energy efficiency improvements to the boiler house and central heating points, to municipal and public service buildings, and to the housing stock.  With over 1,000 outdated district heating systems in Russia representing a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, this type of project could be replicated throughout the Russian Federation.
U.S. Partners: Battelle Memorial Institute/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory of Washington, D.C.
Non-U.S. Partners: Administration of the City of Lytkarino (the municipal government); the Center for Energy Efficiency in Moscow.

Improving District Heating Efficiency in the Metallurguichesky District of Cheliabinsk - Russian Federation
The project developers propose energy efficiency improvements that will rehabilitate and modernize the central heating system of the Metallurguichesky District of Cheliabinsk, which serves a population of 144,500.  The proposed project includes energy efficiency upgrades to the heat distribution system, public buildings, residential housing stock, and boiler houses.  This type of project is an example of a low-cost, low-input effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
U.S. Partners: Battelle Memorial Institute/Pacific Norhtwest National Laboratory of Washington, D.C.
Non-U.S. Partners: Administration of Oblast and Metallurguichesky District of Cheliabinsk (the municipal government); the Center for Energy Efficiency in Moscow.

For more information, media may contact Amber Jones at the Department of energy, 202-586-5806, or Luke Hester at the Environmental Protection Agency, 202-260-1383.  Businesses and other organizations may contact the USIJI office at 202-586-3288.