REYKJAVIK: NOMINATION FOR FSI ENERGY SEMINAR PE228

UNCLAS REYKJAVIK 000037 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/NB, EEB/ESC/IEC/ENR JOEL KOPP ALSO FOR HR/CDA/ML PINESS FSI FOR SPAS/ECON LISA FOX COPENHAGEN FOR ESTH HUB E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG SENV APER ABUD IC SUBJECT: REYKJAVIK: NOMINATION FOR FSI ENERGY SEMINAR PE228 REF: STATE 12018 ¶1. Iceland is a key player in renewable energy, especially in the field of geothermal power. The Icelandic Government is incorporating this expertise more and more into its foreign policy and Icelandic energy companies are investing overseas, including in the U.S. Post nominates Economic and Commercial Officer Fiona Evans for the FSI Energy Seminar PE 228 on April 21 - 22, 2008. ¶2. Nominee info: Candidate is the Chief of Post's one-officer, two-FSN Economic and Commercial Section, which has sole responsibility for energy affairs. Contact information: Fiona Evans, evansfs@state.gov, Tel: +354-562-9100 x2295 or IVG 682-0000 x2295, Fax: +354-562-9139. Travel plans: Tentative plans are for arrival o/a 20 April, consultations in Washington 23-24 April, and return to post o/a 25 April. ¶3. Justification: Country conditions: With nearly one hundred percent of domestic electricity and home heating provided by geothermal and hydro power, Iceland is marketing its renewable energy experience around the world and is using its clean, green name to increase the country's international visibility. The President is personally vested in bringing Iceland to the international forefront and regularly meets with USG officials on energy issues. He is encouraging Icelandic direct investment in U.S. geothermal development as well as joint investment in third countries. Iceland's public and private sectors are working to create four academic programs in Iceland related to clean energy and are seeking U.S. cooperation in development and participation. There is already significant bilateral science cooperation in key energy-related fields. That said, Iceland's transportation sector is still highly dependent upon fossil fuels. Value to candidate: As Post's lead officer for energy issues, nominee advises Ambassador and DCM directly on the course of U.S. energy policy towards Iceland. In day-to-day affairs, Ms. Evans conducts dialogue with government and government owned energy producers, reports on renewable energy development and related innovations, and seeks avenues of bilateral cooperation in renewable energy research. She would benefit from a further grounding in U.S. energy policy and global energy markets to increase her effectiveness in finding viable solutions to energy security issues. For the U.S. and Iceland to best leverage Iceland's potential in energy security and climate change, Post needs in-house expertise on the mechanisms and limitations of energy infrastructure and markets. This seminar would demonstrably help to build that expertise. van Voorst