US, Israel agree on additional energy cooperation
07/23/2012 05:33
The two countries agree to expand their partnerships in the energy sector with a particular focus on natural gas.
Tamar holds 240 billion cu.m. of gas. Photo: Courtesy
The Energy and Water Ministry and the US Department of Energy committed to
further cooperation on energy issues, with a particular focus on natural gas,
during a series of intergovernmental meetings last week.
The two
countries agreed to expand their partnerships in the energy sector as part of a
dialogue that took place over the course of last week, under the direction of US
Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman, Under-Secretary of Energy David
Sandalow and Israel Energy and Water Ministry director-general Shaul Zemach.
Meetings among the leaders occurred in Washington and focused primarily on
natural gas and its issues, according to the Energy and Water
Ministry.
US Department of Energy officials expressed great interest in
Israel’s ongoing and significant developments in the natural gas market as well
as its natural gas policies in particular, which are being “formulated out of
nothing,” the ministry said.
Other central discussions took place about
potential cooperation in the energy field in general, including energy security
policy, reducing dependence on oil and conducting joint experiments – on
renewable energy and energy efficiency.
In addition to meeting with these
specific Department of Energy leaders, Zemach also met during his visit with
officials from the American water, natural gas and oil sectors, as well as
international energy experts and various colleagues at US research institutes
who have expressed interest in Israel’s natural gas policies, business
opportunities and investment possibilities, the ministry reported.
Only a
month ago, Energy and Water Minister Uzi Landau held a meeting with Canadian
Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver in Jerusalem for similar purposes, during
which they agreed to form such energy partnerships between Israel and Canada.
The two leaders discussed increased cooperation on energy security,
environmental sustainability and economic development, as well as more frequent
bilateral meetings to strengthen their relationship.