http://www.rechargenews.com/business_area/politics/article222790.ece

 TheUS and Russia have signed a protocol to deepen collaboration in energyefficiency, smart grid technology and clean energy, as part of ongoingbilateral efforts to combat climate change.

 The agreement will promote partnerships with US and Russian utilities,regulators and others to share information and best practices. Potentialactivities will reduce energy loss in electricity systems and decrease levelsof carbon emissions.

The protocol was signed by US Agency for International Development(USAID) and Russian Energy Agency officials.

USAID is an agency that advances US foreign policy objectives bysupporting sustainable economic growth, agriculture and trade, global health,democracy and humanitarian assistance.

The US and Russia are among the world's largest greenhouse gas emittersper capita according to the World Bank. Both also have enormous potential forenergy efficiency improvements.

A report by the bank estimated that realising its full energy efficiencypotential could save Russia up to $80bn annually.

The agreement with Russia is just one of USAID's efforts to improveenergy efficiency, energy security and clean energy technology in Europe andEurasia.