The White House, President George W. Bush Click to print this document

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 18, 2006

Fact Sheet: The United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act

     Fact sheet President Signs U.S.-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act
     Fact sheet In Focus: Energy

Today, President Bush Signed The United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act. This Act will strengthen the partnership between the world's two largest democracies and help our countries meet the energy and security challenges of the 21st century.

The United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act Will Help America Achieve Four Key Goals

  1. This Act Will Help Strengthen Cooperation Between India And The United States On Energy, One Of The Most Important Challenges Of The 21st Century. India is now the world's fifth largest consumer of energy, and its demand for electricity is expected almost to double by 2015. The United States has a clear interest in helping India meet this demand with nuclear energy. By helping India expand its use of safe, clean nuclear energy, this Act lays the foundation for a new strategic partnership between our two nations that will help ease India's demands for fossil fuels and ease pressure on global markets.

  2. This Act Will Help Promote Economic Growth. This Act helps open an important new market for American businesses by paving the way for investment in India's civilian nuclear industry for the first time. This new trade will help American companies gain new customers abroad and create new jobs here at home.

  3. This Act Will Help Make It Possible For India To Reduce Emissions And Improve Its Environment. Today, India produces nearly 70 percent of its electricity from coal. Burning coal produces air pollution and greenhouse gases, but nuclear power can generate massive amounts of electricity without producing any air pollution or greenhouse gases. By sharing advanced civilian nuclear technology, we will help India meet its growing demand for energy and lower emissions at the same time.

  4. This Act Will Help Keep America Safe By Paving The Way For India To Join The Global Effort To Stop The Spread Of Nuclear Weapons. India has conducted its civilian nuclear energy program in a safe and responsible way for decades. Now, in return for access to American technology, India has agreed to open its civilian nuclear power program to international inspection. After 30 years outside the system, India will now operate its civilian nuclear energy program under internationally accepted guidelines, and the world will be safer as a result.

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