WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Monday, December 6, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United States Energy Association (USEA), and the Russian Energy Agency (REA) will conduct a workshop to bring together U.S. and Russian energy experts from government, technology vendors, transmission and distribution companies and others to collaborate on smart grid development.

Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev agreed to collaborate on energy efficiency and clean energy technology when they met in Washington in June 2010. The U.S.-Russia Smart Grid Partnership Workshop is the first exchange visit organized by USAID, USEA and REA under the Protocol of Intent signed by the parties in July 2010 to advance smart grid technology development and improve energy efficiency. The Russian delegation will arrive in Washington, D.C. following a week of meetings and site visits in Austin and Houston, Texas. This activity is under the auspices of the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission Energy Working Group and will provide a basis for further partnership between the two countries on clean energy, energy efficiency, and smart grid technology.

USAID invites the press to meet participants attending the workshop. Details are as follows:

Please inform Albert Doub, USEA (ADoub@usea.org) if you plan to send a press official.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is an independent agency that provides economic, development and humanitarian assistance around the world in support of the foreign policy goals of the United States. For more information, please visit: www.usaid.gov/.