Tuesday, August 9 2005 09:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: The United States is willing to help growing economies like India and China become less dependent on hydrocarbons as a source of energy so that it would take pressure off global supply and American consumers, President George W Bush has said.

"As we work to solve our energy dependency, we've got to remember that the market for energy is global and America is not the only large consumer of hydrocarbons. As the economies of nations like India and China grow rapidly, their demand for energy is growing rapidly, as well," Bush said after signing a National Energy Bill yesterday (Aug 8, 2005).

"It's in our interest to help these expanding energy users become more efficient, less dependent on hydrocarbons. By helping them achieve these goals, it will take pressure off the global supply and it will help take pressure off price for American consumers," he said in a speech at the Sandia National Laboratory.

Keeping this aspect in mind, "I joined with the leaders of India, China, Australia, Japan and South Korea to create a new Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development" he said, last month.

Terming this initiative an 'innovative programme', he said his administration's goal was to spread the use of clean, efficient energy technologies throughout the Pacific Rim.

The ambitious national energy plan signed yesterday promises to expand nuclear energy, reduce US dependence on foreign sources of oil and encourage energy efficiency and conservation.