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Poland Joins Methane to Markets

Release Date: 12/15/2006
Contact Information: Roxanne Smith, (202) 564-4355 / smith.roxanne@epa.gov

(Washington, D.C. - Dec. 15, 2006) Poland became the 19th country to join the Methane to Markets partnership, the international initiative that promotes the recovery and use of methane as a source of clean energy. The partnership extended membership to Poland during its steering committee meeting today in Rome.

"The Bush Administration is meeting unparalleled financial, international and domestic commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Voluntary programs, like the Methane to Markets Partnership, are delivering environmental and economic results by turning methane waste into wealth," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "By working with Poland to promote advances in clean energy technology, we are transforming important economic partners into good global neighbors."

The Methane to Markets Partnership, launched by President Bush in November 2004, is a public-private partnership that brings together the technical and market expertise, financing, and technology necessary to advance cost-effective methane recovery and use projects at landfills, agricultural operations, coal mines and oil and gas systems. Poland joins 18 other countries and a growing project network of nearly 500 public and private sector organizations in efforts to reduce emissions of methane – a powerful greenhouse gas – while delivering clean energy to markets around the world.

"The Republic of Poland is proud to be the newest member of the Methane to Markets partnership," said Poland's Minister of Economy, Piotr Wozniak. "This partnership will advance the beneficial use of methane in Poland, and we look forward to contributing our expertise in all sectors – especially in coal mining – to expand international investment and enhance methane-capture technologies."

President Bush has committed up to $53 million to Methane to Markets over the next five years. Last year, the United States contributed more than $5 million and was successful in leveraging over $235 million in public and private sector contributions toward project development. Once these methane projects are fully implemented, they are expected to garner annual greenhouse gas reductions of nearly 5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, while providing enough electricity to power the equivalent of 800,000 U.S. homes.

Methane to Markets is planning a partnership expo in 2007; China has agreed to be a co-sponsor of the event, scheduled for October 2007 in Beijing.

Information about the Methane to Markets partnership: epa.gov/methanetomarkets