Protocol of Intent Among the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Russian Energy Agency on Cooperation in Promoting Clean Energy in the Russia Far East

Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Russian Energy Agency (REA) to promote clean energy development in the Russia Far East. The protocol aims to leverage the collective expertise and knowledge of the two agencies to develop solutions to barriers to sustainable urban clean energy improvements. The participants recognize the importance of reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally sound municipal services such as heat and electricity to the quality of life, productivity, employment, security, and welfare of citizens. They agree that comprehensive municipal energy supply and demand planning, including consideration of energy efficiency and combined heat and power technologies, have potential to reduce municipal energy expenditures and mitigate greenhouse gas and black carbon emissions. The protocol outlines several key objectives, including developing solutions to barriers to sustainable urban clean energy improvements, strengthening the capacity of urban planners and managers to engage in municipal energy planning, creating or improving the enabling environment for municipalities to make investments in clean energy, and encouraging rehabilitation of existing building and construction of new building stock characterized by high levels of energy efficiency, clean energy, and the capability of communicating with electricity and heat networks. To achieve these objectives, the participants agree to explore activities that will focus on demonstrating the benefits of municipal energy planning and implementation of cost-effective clean energy solutions in at least one community. These activities may include exchanging information and experiential data, engaging in a formal training program for municipal, regional, and utility managers and planners, preparing energy audits, exploring financing options, providing technical assistance, and disseminating the accomplishments of the partnership to a broad audience. The protocol also outlines the responsibilities of each participant, including being fully responsible for its expenses incurred while undertaking activities in connection with the programs described herein, and all such expenses and activities are subject to the availability of funds to each participant. The protocol does not constitute an expenditure or an obligation of funds, nor does it constitute a legally binding commitment by any participant or create any rights in any third party. The protocol is intended to commence upon the date of signature and continue for three years, with the option to automatically extend for three additional years unless a participant notifies the other participant in writing of its desire to discontinue the protocol. The participants may discontinue cooperation under the protocol at any time, and intend to endeavor to provide the other participant with three months written notice before such discontinuation.