INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: France: Input for Energy Report to Congress

Published: Tue 26 Feb 2008 04:56 PM
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHFR #0341/01 0571656
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 261656Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY PARIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2086
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES
UNCLAS PARIS 000341
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/WE, EEB/ESC/IEC--GRIFFIN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG SENV APER ABUD FR
SUBJECT: FRANCE: INPUT FOR ENERGY REPORT TO CONGRESS
REF: STATE 10743
1. (SBU) The following information provides input on post's
energy-related activities per reftel.
2. (SBU) Which section or sections of the Embassy handle energy
matters? What is the total number of staff in this section or
sections?
Environment, Science, Technology & Health (ESTH)
5 staff
Economics Section (ECON)
11 staff
Public Affairs (PA)
27 Staff
Political Section (POL)
16 Staff
3. (SBU) Please identify the positions of employees that work on
energy matters and specify the percentage of time that such
employees devote to energy matters.
1 ESTH Counselor - 55%
1 ESTH Officer - 30%
1 ESTH Officer - 15%
1 OMS - 25%
1 FSN - 30%
1 ECON Minister Counselor - 10%
1 ECON Counselor - 10%
1 ECON Officer - 40%
1 ECON OMS - 10%
2 ECON FSN's - 10 and 25 %
1 PA FSN 35%
1 POL Officer 2.5%
3. (SBU) Please provide a brief narrative description of the
positions of employees that work on energy matters and the kinds of
work they do.
ESTH Counselor - Serves as the bilateral nuclear attach in the most
advanced nuclear economy in Europe; advances thermonuclear
experimental reactor (ITER), Global Nuclear Energy Partnership
(GNEP), other advanced nuclear work, protection of nuclear
facilities, carbon sequestration including in connection with Carbon
Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF), biofuels, renewables, and
energy efficiency (sustainable cities, green buildings, etc.)
Advances U.S. positions on climate change (UN process, MEM process,
U.S. policy). Supports public affairs events promoting U.S.
policies. Promotes EPA's Methane to Markets Partnership. Liaise
with Dept of Energy and French nuclear authorities and French
nuclear company, Areva. Reports on French nuclear developments,
e.g., w/regard to disposition of nuclear waste. Works with French
government on protection of nuclear sites and transportation of
nuclear materials.
ESTH Officer - Promotes U.S. energy policies, promotes U.S.-French
research collaboration in energy field. Provides visit assistance
to visits of French nuclear facilities, esp. nuclear waste
retreatment; to French industrial and research facilities exploring
biofuels and carbon sequestration; supports climate negotiations and
public affairs work associated with same. Prepares reports
regarding French energy and climate policies.
ESTH Officer - Assists in bilateral cooperation on topic of physical
protection of nuclear sites and transportation of nuclear materials.
Provides back-up assistance to ESTH Counselor and ESTH officer.
ESTH OMS - Processes country clearance requests for 2500-3000 DOE
visitors to France each year; organizes logistics for DOE visitors
and Congressional visitors engaged in visits to French nuclear
sites.
ESTH FSN - Organizes, schedules and visits to French nuclear
facilities, French government agencies which oversee nuclear energy
production and energy and climate research and policy. Assists ESTH
Counselor and Officers in promotion of U.S. negotiating positions.
Prepares reports regarding French nuclear and energy sector
developments, particularly regarding technological and research
developments.
ECON M/C - Manages overall Embassy effort on energy and climate
change, including coordination between ESTH, ECON and PA sections.
ECON Counselor - Promotes U.S. energy policies, develops contacts
with key members of relevant government agencies in the energy
field. Responsible for engagement with France on energy-related G8
issues.
ECON Officer - Promotes U.S. energy policies, develops contacts with
key members of relevant government agencies in the energy field.
Encourages appropriate investment policies in Middle-Eastern energy
sector. Participates in public affairs outreach on energy and
climate policy through speaking engagements. Reports on French
energy developments, energy security policy, and the international
activities of French energy companies, as well as French
implementation of European Union directives to open electricity and
gas markets. Identifies impact on US interests of growing
convergence of French environmental and energy policies. Encourages
GOF cooperation with the US on energy security policy and programs,
including product and geographical supply diversification.
Organizes and manages senior-level official and congressional visits
on energy issues.
ECON OMS - Processes country clearance requests for energy-related
visits. Assists with report preparation and other administrative
tasks.
ECON FSN - Provides scheduling and administrative support for
section's energy-related work and for energy-related visits.
ECON FSN - Assists ECON Officers in promotion of U.S. energy policy.
Researches and prepares reports regarding French energy sector
developments, particularly regarding deregulation of energy markets
and mergers within the private and public sectors. Assists section
in ensuring energy is represented in PA programs such as
International Visitors by meeting and recruiting potential
candidates.
PA FSN - Paris Public Affairs' Cultural Office has one Locally
Engaged Staff member working exclusively on economic and
environmental issues. This employee provides advice on engaging the
French public on energy and climate change; develops public affairs
programming including identifying and managing speakers and
conferences; develops and sustains contacts in the field; reports on
energy developments and programs; and serves branch posts on energy
issues.
POL Officer - Discusses civil nuclear energy issues with French
counterparts in the context of non-proliferation treaty provisions.
5. (SBU) Budget: Please provide the amounts of State Department
funds, including salary costs (prorated as applicable), spent by
your post in FY 2007 on energy-related activities:
--- personnel $312,000.00
--- programs $5,500.00
PEKALA
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