HONG KONG INPUT ON NEW REPORTS TO CONGRESS ON

UNCLAS HONG KONG 000368 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EEB/ESC/IEC GRIFFIN STATE FOR OES AND EAP/CM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG SENV ABUD APER HK SUBJECT: HONG KONG INPUT ON NEW REPORTS TO CONGRESS ON ENERGY REF: STATE 10743 (U) This cable is sensitive but unclassified and for official use only. Not for distribution outside of USG channels. ¶1. (U) In response to reftel, Consulate General Hong Kong provides the following input for reports required under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (P.L. No.110-140). ¶2. (SBU) Sections and Staff: The combined Economic-Political Section (EP),enhanced by regular involvement by the Front Office (XO) and Public Affairs Section (PAS),handles energy matters for the State Department for the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions. Post also has a Foreign Commercial Service (FCS) office that is very actively engaged on energy-related matters. XO has 2 FSOs and 2 OMS. EP Section has 12 FSOs, 1 OMS and 3 LES. PA Section has 2 FSOs, 1 intern and 13 LES. FCS has 4 FSOs and 14 LES. ¶3. (SBU) State Employees and Time Spent: STATE Consul General (Cunningham): 5 percent ESTH/Econ Officer (Schrepel): 10 percent Econ LES (Cheung): 5 percent PAS Chief (Hutchinson): 10 percent PAS Deputy (Kreisher): 10 percent PAS Intern (Quintanilla): 10 percent COMMERCE FCS Chief (Ballard) 50 percent FCS Deputy (Mayfield) 15 percent ¶4. (SBU) Description of Work: The Consul General spends the majority of his time leading the development of the FCS's innovative Pollution Prevention Energy Efficiency Initiative (P2E2),a program that supports private sector financing for energy efficiency improvements and environmental upgrades to reduce pollution from mainland China factories and power plants. The ESTH/economic officer, and one economic LES serve as the lead staff on energy-related policy matters in Hong Kong and Macau. These personnel handle the day-to-day tracking and reporting on energy issues including: scheme of control negotiations, energy efficiency and renewable energy implementatio, energy and environment policy development, liason with private sector and NGO entities, liaison ith Hong Kong and Macau Governments, and staffin of Consulate rincipals for energy-related meetngs/events. The Public Affairs officers and inten facilitate the American Speakers Programs, Intrnational Visitors Program, and local school/orgnization outreach on energy and environmental issues. In addition, they develop supporting materials, events, and speeches for Consulate programs such as P2E2. The FCS erves as the lead staff on commercial energy-related matters in Hong Kong and Macau. Their efforts include: hosting energy-related trade missions and leading reverse trade missions; conference and trade fair participation; business matching; advocacy on behalf of U.S. energy technologies; and the development of the P2E2 program. ¶5. (SBU) Budget: State Department funds spent by Consulate General Hong Kong in FY 2007 on energy-related activities are as follows: PERSONNEL (note: reflects true cost, including salary, benefits and training) -------------- STATE Consul General (Cunningham): $ 18,586 ESTH/Econ Officer (Schrepel): $ 11,070 Econ LES (Cheung): $ 6,378 PAS Chief (Hutchinson): $ 22,723 PAS Deputy (Kreisher): $ 24,182 PAS Intern (Quintanilla): $ 0 STATE TOTAL $ 82,939 COMMERCE FCS Chief (Ballard) $ 97,108 FCS Deputy (Mayfield) $ 29,564 POST TOTAL $209,611 PROGRAM -------------- De minimus. ¶6. (U) Please advise should additional information be required. Contact at Post is Economic Officer, Dawn Schrepel, schrepeldm@state.gov. Cunningham