Why compete? U.S. and China will work together on clean cars

The United States and China are the world's top two energy consumers, energy producers and greenhouse gas emitters. Though it's unlikely that either nation will brag about holding those top honors, maybe the creation of the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center (CERC) will help both clean up their acts.

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that two consortia – one led by the University of Michigan and the other by West Virginia University – will receive $25 million from the U.S. government over the next five years under the CERC program. Additional funding from grantees and China's government will bring total program contributions to $100 million. The two universities will be assisted by Chinese partners, which will be selected by its government at a later date. Numerous companies, including General Motors, Ford and Toyota, will also partake in the efforts. Chu gave a broad overview of the benefits of the CERC program, stating:

The U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center will help accelerate the development and deployment of clean vehicle and clean coal technologies here at home. This new partnership will also create new export opportunities for American companies, ensure the United States remains at the forefront of technology innovation, and help to reduce global carbon pollution.

We're not sure what, exactly, those clean vehicle technologies are, but the CERC program will allow the U.S. and China to work together. Hopefully, when these two megapowers combine, accomplishing the shared goal of increasing energy efficiency will be that much easier.

[Source: EERE Network News]