Chhattisgarh gets $5 lakh for clean bed methane project

WASHINGTON: As part of Obama Administration's clean technology initiatives, the 'US Trade and Development Agency' has announced USD half a million grant to reduce methane emission in the coal mines of Chhattisgarh.

The grant amounting to USD 524,819 has been awarded to AES (India) Private Limited (AES India) to fund a feasibility study on a proposal to capture and use CBM/CMM from the company's coal mine block in Chhattisgarh.

The innovative project will demonstrate the practical opportunities for US and India technical and business cooperation in reducing the release of potent greenhouse gases as India expands its domestic energy production, the USTDA said.

It also supports recent US and Indian government commitments to cooperate on climate change strategies while supporting continued economic and energy sector growth, the USTDA said. The US agency also announced two more grants to Jordan and Georgia.

"US firms are world leaders in the application of clean energy technologies. These grants and the orientation visit are outstanding examples of the way USTDA's program provides countries with access to state-of-the-art US equipment, technology and expertise in meeting important development priorities," said USTDA Acting Director Leocadia I Zak.