Energy Law Alert: $6 Million Available for a U.S.-China Clean Energy and Climate Partnership Program

Energy Law Alert: $6 Million Available for a U.S.-China Clean Energy and Climate Partnership Program
7/6/2009

On June 26, 2009, the U.S. Agency for International Development ("USAID") Regional Development Mission for Asia ("RDMA") issued a Request for Applications ("RFA") to deploy $6 million to fund a U.S.-China Clean Energy and Climate Partnership program.

Overview of U.S.-China Clean Energy and Climate Partnership Program

In 2008 China became the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases ("GHGs"). Despite China's dependence on fossil fuels, it is a leader in the manufacture and installation of renewable energy technologies. China ranks second in terms of annual investments in renewable technologies and first for installed renewable generating capacity. China has plans to increase renewable energy production from 8% to 15% of total supply by 2020.

With the increased international focus on the climate challenge and heightened diplomatic and political engagement between the United States and China, there are now many opportunities to promote collaboration between the United States and China to address climate change.

USAID/RDMA plans to support a new U.S.-China environmental partnership program focusing on clean energy solutions that achieve real and sustainable reductions in GHG emissions. This RFA seeks to promote on-the-ground development projects that involve Chinese organizations, yielding tangible environmental benefits in China.

Purpose of U.S.-China Clean Energy and Climate Partnership Program

The purpose of the program is to reduce GHG emissions in China through a U.S.-China partnership. USAID is looking for projects that produce immediate results, such as technology transfer or technology-focused activities. However, USAID is also looking for projects that may have a broader impact, be more effective and be sustainable through activities that promote policy- and market-based incentives for renewable and clean energy.

The most compelling and successful applications will demonstrate the ability to achieve the following results through the proposed partnership program:

significantly reduce or avoid GHG emissions
strengthen environmental governance capacity, such as compliance and enforcement practices, and monitoring and reporting systems
create an effective, China-based platform for broadly scaling up/replicating and sustaining program successes

The partnership program will focus on accomplishing three key objectives: improve energy efficiency and conservation, promote renewable energy, and quantify GHG emissions. Eligible projects for the partnership program are ones that address any or all of those objectives, and some examples include:

Energy Efficiency and Conservation

improving standards and labeling
energy benchmarking in heavy industry
developing energy efficiency resource standards

Promoting Renewable Energy

improving higher-resolution mapping of resources
testing and certification of new technologies
improving transmission of renewable power

Quantifying GHG Emissions

improving GHG emissions measurement and monitoring
capacity building for energy audits and benchmarking at the facility level in energy-intensive industries
improving emissions and energy scenario forecasting (modeling)

Public or private U.S. educational institutions, businesses, and nongovernmental organizations, including any incorporated entity, either nonprofit or for-profit, are eligible to submit applications. Applicants are encouraged to establish public-private partnerships that include up to 1:1 matching financial or nonfinancial resources (or greater) against USAID funding. Applicants need only propose a private-public partnership at the application stage. An actual partnership is not required for application.

Compelling and successful applications will also demonstrate the ability to coordinate and work with appropriate Chinese government counterparts. While Chinese government engagement is highly complex and time-consuming, government support is typically a condition for program success. Proper use of existing relationships with Chinese counterparts will be essential to ensure a smooth program launch and implementation.

Submission Due Date

Applications must be received by August 16, 2009, 2:00 p.m. Pacific time.

If you have questions about this RFA, other renewable energy issues, or renewable energy opportunities in China, or if you would like to discuss the possibility of your project applying for this or other government funds, please contact:

Seattle, Washington
David Benson at (206) 386-7584 or dlbenson@stoel.com
Janet F. Jacobs at (206) 386-7582 or jfjacobs@stoel.com
J. Graham Noyes at (206) 386-7615 or jgnoyes@stoel.com
Geoff Revelle at (206) 689-8730 or ggrevelle@stoel.com
John Laney at (206) 386-7559 or jslaney@stoel.com
Jerry Chiang at (206) 386-7570 or jcchiang@stoel.com