Energy Resources International, Inc.
Energy Resources International, Inc. (ERI) is an international energy consulting firm located in Washington, D.C. ERI specializes in resource, technology and market analyses, economic and environmental consulting, and strategic energy planning and procurement.

ERI is experienced in working with U.S. and non-U.S. government agencies involved with energy, environment and trade issues and possesses a thorough understanding of their respective policies and programs. ERI also assists private industry in understanding markets for advanced technologies and use of best practices, with recognition of the environmental implications of these actions.

With respect to climate change, ERI has worked on vulnerability and mitigation assessments, benchmarking, country studies, and development of innovative compliance mechanisms, such as emissions trading, joint implementation and CDM. For more information, visit the ERI website, http://www.energyresources.com.

U.S. Energy Association
The United States Energy Association [(USEA)] is the U.S. Member Committee of the World Energy Council (WEC). USEA is an association of approximately 150 public and private energy-related organizations, corporations, and government agencies. USEA represents the broad interests of the U.S. energy sector by increasing the understanding of energy issues, both domestically and internationally. Membership in USEA is open to all organizations having an interest in the energy sector of the United States.

USEA coordinates participation of the United States in the WEC by nominating representatives to WEC activities, organizes the U.S. delegation to the triennial WEC Congress, WEC Executive Assembly Meetings and Regional Energy Forums. USEA members serve on WEC technical and study committees. USEA also sponsors policy reports and conferences dealing with global and domestic energy issues as well as sponsors trade and educational exchange visits with other countries.

In conjunction with the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of Energy, USEA sponsors the Energy Partnership Program. This program sets up practioner-to-practioner, multi-year partnerships between U.S. and developing country utilities and regulatory agencies. These partnerships promote more efficient, sustainable, and environmentally sound supply and use of energy through the transfer of (1) market-based approaches and "best practices" for energy system operation and regulation and (2) measures to avoid, reduce and mitigate the climate impacts of energy sector activities.

Since 1995, USEA has established over 50 utility and regulatory partnerships in USAID-assisted countries in Asia, Africa Latin and South America, the Newly Independent States (NIS) and Eastern & Central Europe. With funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, USEA has also set up a partnership in the People's Republic of China.

U.S. Agency for International Development
The U.S Agency for International Development (USAID) is the U.S. federal government agency that implements America's foreign economic and humanitarian assistance programs. Since it was created by executive order in 1961, USAID has been the principal U.S. agency to extend assistance to countries recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reforms. The agency works in six main areas crucial to achieving both sustainable development and advancing U.S. foreign policy objectives: (1) Economic growth and agricultural development; (2) Population, health and nutrition; (3) Environment; (4) Democracy and governance; (5) Education and training, and; (6) Humanitarian assistance, and provides assistance in four regions: Africa; Asia and the Near East; Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe and Eurasia.

Activities promoting the use of sustainable energy technologies are coordinated by the Office of Energy, Environment and Technology (EET) within the Global Bureau. EET energy programs assist developing countries to establish the policy frameworks and institutional capacity necessary for the operation of financially viable, competitive energy markets that will increase access to energy services, promote economic growth, and mitigate the environmental impact of energy use. Through the reform of regulatory, legislative, and private sector policies and institutions, EET promotes private sector participation in energy sector development. Ultimately, EET activities allow for increased access to electricity in developing countries.

EET assistance has been crucial in more than 24 countries in reforming electric sectors, improving energy efficiency, leveraging investments in renewable energy projects, and enhancing power sector economic performance. The office is also actively involved in climate change issues. EET activities contribute to one of the Agency's Strategic Goals: The world's environment protected for long-term sustainability.

In addition to the Energy Partnership Program, EET in FY 1999 supported ten other major programs: The South Asia Regional Initiative (SARI) Energy Program, Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program (CLASP), Business Council for Sustainable Energy Program (BCSE), Moving Markets toward Energy Efficiency Program, Renewable Energy Program, Hurricane Mitch Energy Sector Reconstruction Initiative, Sub-Saharan Energy Sector Reform Program, Mexico Energy Sector Reform Program, Indian Zero Emission Transportation (IZET) Program, and the Energy and Environment Training Program (EETP).

EET activities benefit all segments of society by increasing access to electricity for the rural poor; improving human health through decreased pollution in urban areas; and increasing economic opportunities for urban and rural populations through job creation and improved industrial infrastructure. Through EET activities, a global environmental benefit is accrued from a decrease in the rate of growth in greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, EET training activities build the capacity of local partners to implement energy sector reform activities.