REQUEST FOR WIREC FOLLOW-UP; CORRADO CLINI DG,

UNCLAS STATE 149963

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
FOR ECON AND ESTOFF
FOR COPHENHAGEN PLEASE PASS TO REO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV TRGY SOCI KPAO ENRG IT
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR WIREC FOLLOW-UP; CORRADO CLINI DG,
ENVIRONMENT AND TERRITORY



1. THIS IS AN ACTION CABLE, PLEASE SEE PARA 3.


2. SUMMARY: During the US-Italy climate change bilateral
meetings in June,
Italy provided enthusiastic support for the Washington
International Renewable Energy
Conference (WIREC 2008),including the possibility of GOI
providing financial assistance for developing
country particiation. This letter follows up on that
conversation and requests the Government of Italy's financial
support for
developing country participants to attend WIREC 2008. END
SUMMARY.


3. ACTION: Post is requested to deliver the letter dated
October 22, 2007 to Mr. Clini.
(NB: The hard copy of the letter has been delivered to the
DCM at their embassy in Washington).


4. BEGIN TEXT

Dear Mr. Clini:

Thank you for Italy,s enthusiastic support of the
Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC
2008),during the US-Italy climate change bilateral meetings.
As the third global ministerial-level event on renewable
energy, WIREC 2008 is expected to draw 2,000 senior level
participants from around the world, including leaders from
national and sub-national governments, the private sector,
and civil society. WIREC 2008, which will be held March 4-6,
2008, will also feature a co-located trade show/business
conference, separately managed by the American Council on
Renewable Energy and other partnering organizations from U.S.
and international renewable energy associations.

Since our bilateral meeting, the United States
Government hosted a public outreach event on October 2nd.
The launch event drew over two hundred representatives from
the private sector, civil society and foreign governments.
Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs
Paula Dobriansky and Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural
Development Thomas Dorr provided opening remarks, and
representatives from the White House, the Departments of
Energy and Commerce and the Environmental Protection Agency
also participated. Please see www.wirec2008.org for
additional information.

Robust participation of developing countries from
government (federal and subnational),the private sector and
civil society will enhance the success of WIREC 2008. We
would like to provide financial support for both official
delegations of up to 10 representatives as well as key
developing country stakeholders engaged in renewable energy.
Based on our projections, we estimate that $5,500 will be
needed to cover the travel and per diem costs for each
developing country participant. During our meeting, you
indicated the possibility of providing funds to support the
attendance of developing country delegates. The purpose of
my letter is to follow up on your initial conversation with
Lori Brutten during that meeting.

I would be grateful for any assistance you can provide
to help us achieve our goal. If you wish to provide support
for developing country travel, you may provide funds to a
special account established by the US Energy Association
(USEA) for this purpose. USEA is a non-governmental entity,
which has served a similar coordinating role for previous
Ministerial-level conferences (and is also serving as our
contractor for other aspects of WIREC 2008). USEA will
coordinate with donor governments to handle the necessary
travel arrangements and provide donor governments with an
accounting for the sponsored delegations. Ms. Marjorie
Jean-Pierre, Deputy Program Manager, is the USEA point of
contact. She can be reached by phone at 1-202-312-1230 or
via e-mail at mjean-pierre@usea.org.

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding
this request as I am eager to hear your suggestions and
recommendations. Given our strong ties in energy and on
partnerships, and if you would find it helpful, I would
welcome the chance to discuss WIREC 2008 with you with you in
greater detail either when you are next in Washington, or via
a video or telephone conference call. I would also
appreciate your providing me with a contact in your ministry
to discuss WIREC,s progress in detail. Sincerely, Reno
Harnish Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary. End text.


5. No hard copy to follow.
RICE