EMBASSY TALLINN TO HOST OIL SPILL SPEAKER;

UNCLAS TALLINN 000134 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/PGI (IVAN WEINSTEIN) SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL EN SENV ENRG EWWT EPET EUN SUBJECT: EMBASSY TALLINN TO HOST OIL SPILL SPEAKER; HOPES TO SUPPORT ESTONIAN TELEVISION SERIES ABOUT US ENERGY SOLUTIONS REF: STATE 14726 ¶1. Summary. In response to reftel, post is enthusiastic to report that our Public Affairs and PolEcon Sections are planning to host Alaskan oil spill cleanup expert John Devens, Ph.D., under IIP's U.S. Speaker Program in May. Dr. Devens will meet with Estonian government, industry, and private individuals to share expertise, promote responsible oil shipping practices, and to discuss effective oil spill disaster planning. In addition, post hopes to partner with Estonian Television to produce a series of reports on United States energy solutions this fall. ¶2. As a major shipper of Russian oil, oil spills and oil transport pollution are critical issues for Estonia. Two major spills last spring in the Gulf of Finland prompted a realization that Estonia must prepare a detailed prevention and response plan. In response, post invited Dr. Devens to Estonia under the U.S. Speaker Program. Dr. Devens is the Executive Director of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens'Advisory Council (PWSRCAC) and was the mayor of the City of Valdez at the time of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in ¶1989. The PWSRCAC works to reduce pollution from crude oil transportation through Prince William Sound and the Gulf of Alaska, monitors the Valdez terminal and tanker operations, conducts independent research, and advises industry and government on ways to prevent oil spills and respond effectively if spills do occur. The PWSRCAC also endeavors to increase public awareness of these areas and various other aspects of oil pipeline operations, including environmental protection capabilities and actual and potential environmental impacts of terminal and tanker operations. During his visit to the region, Dr. Devens also plans to visit U.S. Embassy Helsinki to participate in a similar program. ¶3. Clean water, environmental protection, and sustainable energy development are important goals for the United States. Dr. Devens' trip will provide an opportunity to share U.S. expertise and insights with the GOE, industry representatives, and private citizens. Post is working to schedule a series of meetings, lectures, and media coverage. We plan to involve the new Ambassador in the program as appropriate. ¶4. In addition, post was recently contacted by the Estonian Television environmental show "Osoon" (Ozone) about an energy-related project. Osoon proposes to film a series of short Estonian-language documentary programs in the United States to highlight America's energy solutions and technologies in comparison to those used in Europe. Post is currently looking into ways to support this project, which we hope will take place in the fall. GOLDSTEIN