U.S., Canada, and Mexico Sign Climate & Energy MOU

On February 12, 2016, energy ministers of the United States, Canada, and Mexico signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Climate Change and Energy Collaboration and launched a web platform that displays maps of North American energy infrastructure.

Per the MOU the three countries will collaborate and share information in six key areas:

• Sharing experience and knowledge in the development of reliable, resilient and low-carbon electricity grids;
• Modeling, deploying and accelerating innovation of clean energy technologies, including renewables;
• Exchanging information in order to improve energy efficiency for equipment, appliances, industries and buildings, including energy management systems;
• Exchanging information and promoting joint action to advance the deployment of carbon capture, use and storage;
• Identifying trilateral activities to further climate change adaptation and resilience; and, 
• Sharing best practices and seeking methods to reduce emissions from the oil and gas sector, including methane and black carbon.
  

In addition, certain North American energy information and maps are now gathered on one web-based platform - North American Cooperation on Energy Information - which includes:

• A first suite of static and interactive North American energy infrastructure maps;
  
• A combined North American energy outlook;
• Data tables and methodological guides to allow for the comparison of energy trade between the three countries; and,
• A glossary of terms and definitions available in each country’s official languages.

The collaboration may form the foundation of a continent-wide initiative on energy infrastructure, including electric car infrastructure, according to Canadian Energy Perspectives.

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