FRANCE: INPUT FOR ENERGY REPORT TO CONGRESS

UNCLAS PARIS 000341 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/WE, EEB/ESC/IEC--GRIFFIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG SENV APER ABUD FR SUBJECT: FRANCE: INPUT FOR ENERGY REPORT TO CONGRESS REF: STATE 10743 ¶1. (SBU) The following information provides input on post's energy-related activities per reftel. ¶2. (SBU) Which section or sections of the Embassy handle energy matters? What is the total number of staff in this section or sections? Environment, Science, Technology & Health (ESTH) 5 staff Economics Section (ECON) 11 staff Public Affairs (PA) 27 Staff Political Section (POL) 16 Staff ¶3. (SBU) Please identify the positions of employees that work on energy matters and specify the percentage of time that such employees devote to energy matters. 1 ESTH Counselor - 55% 1 ESTH Officer - 30% 1 ESTH Officer - 15% 1 OMS - 25% 1 FSN - 30% 1 ECON Minister Counselor - 10% 1 ECON Counselor - 10% 1 ECON Officer - 40% 1 ECON OMS - 10% 2 ECON FSN's - 10 and 25 % 1 PA FSN 35% 1 POL Officer 2.5% ¶3. (SBU) Please provide a brief narrative description of the positions of employees that work on energy matters and the kinds of work they do. ESTH Counselor - Serves as the bilateral nuclear attach in the most advanced nuclear economy in Europe; advances thermonuclear experimental reactor (ITER),Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP),other advanced nuclear work, protection of nuclear facilities, carbon sequestration including in connection with Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF),biofuels, renewables, and energy efficiency (sustainable cities, green buildings, etc.) Advances U.S. positions on climate change (UN process, MEM process, U.S. policy). Supports public affairs events promoting U.S. policies. Promotes EPA's Methane to Markets Partnership. Liaise with Dept of Energy and French nuclear authorities and French nuclear company, Areva. Reports on French nuclear developments, e.g., w/regard to disposition of nuclear waste. Works with French government on protection of nuclear sites and transportation of nuclear materials. ESTH Officer - Promotes U.S. energy policies, promotes U.S.-French research collaboration in energy field. Provides visit assistance to visits of French nuclear facilities, esp. nuclear waste retreatment; to French industrial and research facilities exploring biofuels and carbon sequestration; supports climate negotiations and public affairs work associated with same. Prepares reports regarding French energy and climate policies. ESTH Officer - Assists in bilateral cooperation on topic of physical protection of nuclear sites and transportation of nuclear materials. Provides back-up assistance to ESTH Counselor and ESTH officer. ESTH OMS - Processes country clearance requests for 2500-3000 DOE visitors to France each year; organizes logistics for DOE visitors and Congressional visitors engaged in visits to French nuclear sites. ESTH FSN - Organizes, schedules and visits to French nuclear facilities, French government agencies which oversee nuclear energy production and energy and climate research and policy. Assists ESTH Counselor and Officers in promotion of U.S. negotiating positions. Prepares reports regarding French nuclear and energy sector developments, particularly regarding technological and research developments. ECON M/C - Manages overall Embassy effort on energy and climate change, including coordination between ESTH, ECON and PA sections. ECON Counselor - Promotes U.S. energy policies, develops contacts with key members of relevant government agencies in the energy field. Responsible for engagement with France on energy-related G8 issues. ECON Officer - Promotes U.S. energy policies, develops contacts with key members of relevant government agencies in the energy field. Encourages appropriate investment policies in Middle-Eastern energy sector. Participates in public affairs outreach on energy and climate policy through speaking engagements. Reports on French energy developments, energy security policy, and the international activities of French energy companies, as well as French implementation of European Union directives to open electricity and gas markets. Identifies impact on US interests of growing convergence of French environmental and energy policies. Encourages GOF cooperation with the US on energy security policy and programs, including product and geographical supply diversification. Organizes and manages senior-level official and congressional visits on energy issues. ECON OMS - Processes country clearance requests for energy-related visits. Assists with report preparation and other administrative tasks. ECON FSN - Provides scheduling and administrative support for section's energy-related work and for energy-related visits. ECON FSN - Assists ECON Officers in promotion of U.S. energy policy. Researches and prepares reports regarding French energy sector developments, particularly regarding deregulation of energy markets and mergers within the private and public sectors. Assists section in ensuring energy is represented in PA programs such as International Visitors by meeting and recruiting potential candidates. PA FSN - Paris Public Affairs' Cultural Office has one Locally Engaged Staff member working exclusively on economic and environmental issues. This employee provides advice on engaging the French public on energy and climate change; develops public affairs programming including identifying and managing speakers and conferences; develops and sustains contacts in the field; reports on energy developments and programs; and serves branch posts on energy issues. POL Officer - Discusses civil nuclear energy issues with French counterparts in the context of non-proliferation treaty provisions. ¶5. (SBU) Budget: Please provide the amounts of State Department funds, including salary costs (prorated as applicable),spent by your post in FY 2007 on energy-related activities: --- personnel $312,000.00 --- programs $5,500.00 PEKALA