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Secretary Bodman Tours LNG Powered City Bus in Seoul

Joins Secretary Gutierrez to Highlight Cooperation in Developing and Deploying Clean Energy Technologies

U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman today joined U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez in Seoul, Korea to view a city bus and industrial equipment powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) built with U.S. technology. Secretaries Bodman and Gutierrez and senior Korean government officials highlighted the importance of diversifying to clean and efficient energy sources to increase global energy security.

"South Korea and the United States are allies in advancing the use of cleaner, safer, and healthier clean energy technologies," Secretary Bodman said. "To advance our energy security and economic growth, we must continue our joint efforts to develop and deploy new technologies, diversify our energy supplies and suppliers, and encourage the further development of energy resources around the world."

Secretaries Bodman and Gutierrez highlighted the tremendous progress made by Seoul city buses using U.S. technology to eliminate pollution and promote clean energy. Seoul city buses have gone through a dramatic transformation from polluting diesel engines to high efficiency natural gas vehicles. The key technology enabling the efficient and clean use of LNG comes from Woodward Corporation of Rockford, Illinois and the buses are manufactured in Fort Collins, Colorado.

While in Korea Secretary Bodman met with Korean Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Energy Chung Sye-kyun to stress the importance of cooperation to increase our mutual energy security and advance new clean energy technologies to reduce reliance on imported energy products. Secretary Bodman encouraged the Asia-Pacific nations to work together to promote a stable and transparent investment climate in resource-rich nations. Secretary Bodman and Minister Chung Sye-kyun are expected to participate in the Five Party Energy Ministerial in Beijing on Saturday, December 16, 2006 where Secretary Bodman will highlight the importance of diversification of supplies and suppliers, improved energy efficiency, and the responsible use of strategic oil reserves in the Asia-Pacific region.

Secretary Bodman also met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and Technology Kim Woo-sik to discuss the nation's cooperation on the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) and FutureGen Initiative, which Korea signed earlier this year and pledged $10 million for construction of this first in the world zero-emission coal power plant. Secretary Bodman highlighted the importance of continued cooperation through ongoing multilateral partnerships including the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (APP), International Partnership for a Hydrogen Economy, Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum, and Generation IV International Forum.

Secretary Bodman arrived in Korea today after visiting Japan yesterday to hold bilateral discussions with senior Japanese officials and tour the Tokyo Electric Power Company Museum. Secretary Bodman will travel later today to Beijing to take part in the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue on Thursday and Friday, December 14-15 and the Five-Party Energy Ministerial on Saturday, December 16.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy