Koizumi To Push For Far More Energy Conservation At G8

[hatrack]

Yeah, he and the Chimp will have LOTS to talk about . . .

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will call on other members of the Group of Eight major nations at their summit meeting in July to adopt Japan's "top-runner system" - under which the most energy-efficient products become the benchmark for their industries - to help conserve energy, according to government sources. Koizumi also will introduce a new environmentally friendly technology that greatly reduces emissions produced through the burning of coal and pledge to help countries that introduce the technology, the sources said.

With rising crude oil prices and global warming becoming international problems, Koizumi apparently wants to utilize the nation's advanced energy conservation measures for international contribution by transferring its stringent standards and new technology for energy-saving to other G-8 members. Energy, education and steps to fight infectious diseases are expected to top the agenda at the meeting to be held July 15-17 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

In particular, since soaring crude oil prices could severely affect the global economy, methods to improve energy efficiency will be discussed, as will increasing investment to improve oil production, transportation and refining to stabilize oil prices.

Under the revised Energy Conservation Law in 1998, the top-runner system was applied to 21 items, including automobiles and refrigerators, and has proved successful. Koizumi plans to tell other G-8 member countries that the system, which pushes companies to compete with one another to improve their products, can be a key energy-saving method.

EDIT

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/news/world/14537694.htm

[jpak]

1. Sorry to inform you PM Koizumi

But our President Cheney is of the opinion that "conservation is a personal virtue" and not a basis for sound energy policy.

You are wasting your time...