Bridgetown Input for new Required Reports to Congress on

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000101 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CAR EEB/ESC/IEC FOR B. GLENN GRIFFITH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG SENV APER ABUD XL SUBJECT: Bridgetown Input for new Required Reports to Congress on Energy REF: STATE 10743 ¶1. Embassy Bridgetown provides input for the new required reports to Congress on Energy. ¶2. Political / Economic section and USAID handle energy matters. Seven employees in both sections (combined) work on energy matters. ¶3. 1 Political/Economic Officer: 35 percent of time -- renewable sector analysis, exploration / investment, Petrocaribe (foreign donor analyses). -- 1 Political/Economic Officer: seven percent of time -- biofuels development, renewable sector reporting, oil imports (Petrocaribe) and electricity demand reporting. -- 1 Political/Economic Officer: six percent of time -- DOMLEC in Dominica, Petrocaribe, geothermal potential. -- 1 Labor/ESTH Officer: five percent of time -- reporting on oil exploration bids, communicating with business contacts about the oil and energy sector in Barbados -- 1 Political/Economic OMS: four percent of time -- Washington International Renewable Energy Conference coordination, correspondence from Washington to local governments. -- 1 Political/Economic/Commercial Locally Employed Staff member (LES): five percent of time -- reporting on the Shell Oil dispute as well as following up on energy related stories across the region. Arranging meetings with the Barbados National Oil Company and the National Petroleum Corporation. -- 1 Political/Economic/Commercial Section Chief: five percent -- oil exploration reporting, renewable sector analysis, investment promotion -- 2 USAID officers: two percent of time -- climate change and energy ¶3. None of the employees have special qualifications related to energy matters. ¶4. State Department funds paid out of Embassy Bridgetown include prorated employee salaries spent on energy-related issues are approximately USD$51,500. This total does not take into account motorpool expenses for travel to meetings with officials on energy issues, ICASS support costs such as management support staff, IRM services, use of expendable supplies, or utilities. The employees' salaries are paid from Washington D.C. There are no program funds allocated for energy issues. OURISMAN