US Clean Energy Fund

The US will contribute $85 million to a program designed to help developing nations use eco-friendly energy, the White House announced December 14. US Energy Secretary Steven Chu introduced the program at the Copenhagen Climate Conference. It will promote energy-efficient appliances, help low-income nations invest in renewable energy systems, and distribute solar-energy devices to homes without electricity as an affordable, safer alternative to kerosene. These changes will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve public health. The program will require $350 million over five years, with the remaining balance coming from Italy, Australia, the UK, Norway, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.