WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) — The U.S. Department of State on Thursday announced that it is providing $1 million in support of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA).

According to the State Department, Peace Corps volunteer efforts will benefit from the funds to increase rural access to energy, mitigate the effects of climate change, and support the use of renewable energy and energy technologies in Central and South American communities.

With this funding, Peace Corps volunteers will work with international experts, local organizations, businesses, and community members on the ground to create solutions to energy challenges in the Americas.

Volunteers will also be working with members of local communities to build infrastructure to support environmentally-friendly energy and to educate communities on climate change and energy conservation.

In addition, they will train host-country citizens in the use of alternative fuels and to install, operate, and maintain energy-efficient technology, including biodigesters, solar water heaters, photovoltaic devices, solar and fuel-efficient stoves, and wind or mini hydroelectric power generators.

These efforts will make clean energy more accessible to rural communities, reduce carbon emissions, improve public health, and provide opportunities for individuals and small businesses to generate income.

In April 2009, at the Fifth Summit of the Americas, President Obama invited all countries in the Western Hemisphere to join ECPA to promote collaboration on renewable energy, energy efficiency, cleaner fossil fuels, and energy poverty.

Peace Corps’ initial ECPA-related efforts will be implemented in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Suriname.

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