REYKJAVIK INPUT FOR ENERGY REPORT TO CONGRESS

UNCLAS REYKJAVIK 000022 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/NB, EEB/ESC/IEC GLENN GRIFFIN COPENHAGEN FOR ESTH HUB E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG SENV APER ABUD IC SUBJECT: REYKJAVIK INPUT FOR ENERGY REPORT TO CONGRESS REF: STATE 10743 ¶1. Iceland produces nearly all of its electricity and home heating from the renewable resources of hydropower and geothermal power. The responses below are keyed to questions in reftel. ¶A. The Economic and Commercial Section handles energy matters. The total number of staff in this section is one FSO and two locally engaged staff. The Ambassador and DCM are also frequently engaged in matters pertaining to energy, as well as the Public Affairs Officer. ¶B. Individuals and percentage of their time spent working on energy issues: 1 Economic and Commercial Officer, 25 percent 1 Economic and Commercial Assistant, 15 percent 1 Public Affairs Officer, 5 percent 1 Deputy Chief of Mission, 10 percent 1 Ambassador, 10 percent ¶C. Description of energy-related duties and qualifications (none have special energy-related qualifications): 1 Economic and Commercial Officer, FS 3, conducts dialogue with government and government owned energy producers, reports on renewable energy development and related innovations, seeks avenues of bilateral cooperation in renewable energy research, manages energy-themed visits by USG officials. 1 Economic and Commercial Assistant, FSN 9, provides media summaries and analysis of renewable energy developments and climate change, provides input to reporting on renewable energy area. 1 Public Affairs Officer, FS 3, promotes USG renewable energy and climate change efforts in the media, supports energy-themed visits by USG officials. 1 Deputy Chief of Mission, OC, Engages Icelandic government and energy contacts on USG efforts in renewable energy sector, promotes US interests in energy sector, seeks avenues of bilateral cooperation in renewable energy research. 1 Ambassador, MC, Engages Icelandic government and energy contacts on energy issues through meetings and public events, promotes US interests in energy sector, seeks avenues of bilateral cooperation in renewable energy research. ¶D. State Department funds spent by Embassy Reykjavik on energy related activities: Total FY 2007 pro-rated salary costs: $52,100 Programs: $700 (energy related domestic travel) van Voorst