Department of Natural Resources
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Released: 16 October, 2003

Joint Statement on the Hydrogen Economy by the United States Department of Energy and Natural Resources Canada

The following was agreed to by the Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources, and Spencer Abraham, U.S. Secretary of Energy, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on October 16, 2003.

We, Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources, and Spencer Abraham, U.S. Secretary of Energy, affirm our commitment, on behalf of Canada and the United States, to collaborate on accelerating the development of the hydrogen economy as part of our broadening cooperation on energy. We aim to enhance the security of energy supply, increase diversity of energy sources, and improve local and global environmental quality. Our cooperation will contribute to laying the scientific, technical, legal and regulatory framework needed to accelerate the commercial penetration and trade of emissions-free hydrogen technology worldwide, in cars, buildings, portable applications and power generation, to secure for our citizens the abundant, secure and clean energy required to sustain growth, ensure security and protect the environment.

In this context, we see the potential of the hydrogen economy in establishing a secure energy supply through clean and environmentally sound systems for production, storage and use of hydrogen. We will seek to build on our ongoing collaboration and complementarities in our research efforts and actively explore and understand technology options, including renewable energy sources, for boosting the development of hydrogen energy.

We agree to the following:

• further the goals of future energy security as well as sustainable development that carefully balances sustained economic growth, preserves the environment and achieves related social benefits;
• strengthen joint cooperation to work for universally compatible codes, standards and regulations;
• strengthen joint cooperation on research, development and demonstration; and
• work together to foster public–private collaboration

These joint efforts will assist us in making the most of our domestic investments; bringing to bear the expertise of the public and private sectors to solve the complex challenges surrounding the hydrogen economy; and establishing sound, universally compatible codes, standards and regulations for hydrogen fuel storage and utilization. They will provide a strong and broad foundation for bilateral and multilateral cooperation, such as under the proposed International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy, the International Energy Agency and the Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Energy and Natural Resources Canada for collaboration on Energy Research and Development.

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