U.S., Grenada sign energy security missive

As part of the Caribbean Energy Security Initiative, the United States says it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Grenada to “promote a cleaner and more secure energy future in the Caribbean.”

The U.S. Department of States said on Wednesday that Acting Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs, Amos Hochstein, and Grenadian Ambassador to the United States E. Angus Friday signed the agreement here on Aug. 27.

“The United States will work with Grenada on a pilot program that seeks to develop and apply a visionary approach to improving its energy sector, which includes integrating policy and regulatory reforms, and encouraging private sector investment in environmentally responsible and economically sustainable technologies,” said the State Department in a statement, adding that the MOU was announced by Prime Minister of Grenada Dr. Keith Mitchell at the Third U.N. Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Apia, Samoa, on Sept. 1.

“This cooperation, which is integral to the Caribbean Energy Security Initiative announced by Vice President (Joseph) Biden, during his trip to the region in June, will serve as an example to lead the way to a cleaner energy future for the Caribbean region and for small islands around the globe,” it continued.

“The best practices and lessons learned from the comprehensive energy reform approach in Grenada will be helpful to other islands looking to reform their energy sector in support of environmental, economic, and social objectives,” the statement said.

The State Department said the United States is “committed” to working with SIDS on “critical global issues,” including climate change and ocean conservation, as well as the islands’ sustainable development, energy security, food security and health issues.