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