BRAZIL: SAO PAULO INPUT FOR NEW ENERGY REPORT

UNCLAS SAO PAULO 000065 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/BSC, EEB/ESC/IEC FOR GLEN GRIFFIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ENRG BR SUBJECT: BRAZIL: SAO PAULO INPUT FOR NEW ENERGY REPORT REF: SECSTATE 10743 ¶1. (U) Post sends this cable in response to reftel request for energy-related activities at post. The information below corresponds to the format requested in reftel. --A. Energy Work: The Political-Economic Section of Consulate General Sao Paulo has two economic officers that share coverage of the energy portfolio. In addition to Department coverage, the Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agriculture Service has the lead on biofuels and has one officer and two FSNs that follow biofuels issues as related to agriculture production. The Department of Commerce also has three FCS officers and one FSN covering the energy portfolio. -- B. The time spent on energy and energy-related issues is distributed as follows: 1 FS-04 Economic Officer, 40 percent; 1 FS-02 Pol-Econ Section Chief, 10 percent. Foreign Commercial Service: 3 Commercial Officers: 5 percent each in a supervisory capacity; 1 Commercial Specialist, 30 percent. Foreign Agricultural Service: 1 Officer, 10 percent; 2 FSNs, 20 percent each. -- C. Descriptions: FSO Economic Officer: contact with oil and natural gas companies, electricity generators and distributors, trade and industry associations of electricity users, and ethanol producers groups. Attends meetings on energy dialogues and conferences. Reports on oil discoveries, natural gas constraints, energy infrastructure, company updates and opinions, electricity situation. Econoff has previous professional experience within the sector in Latin America and has completed coursework at the University of Texas Petroleum Extension Service. ---Pol-Econ Chief: contact with oil and natural gas companies, electricity generators and distributors, trade and industry associations of electricity users, and ethanol producers groups. Attends meetings on energy dialogues and coordinates biofuels conferences. Pol-Econ Chief covered various aspects of energy while serving in Mozambique and most recently as ESTH Hub Officer for South America. ---1 FCS Officer supervises FSN who follows energy equipment sales for the Sao Paulo area; 2 FCS officers supervise all of Brazil's energy issues, including Consulate Rio de Janeiro's contact with U.S. companies, reporting on energy issues, etc. ---1 FAS officer and 2 FSNs: monitor production, supply, and use of ethanol focused on ramifications for production of sugar cane and other major crops. Contact with industry associations. All FAS personnel hold degrees in agriculture economics. --D. Funding: U.S. Embassy Brasilia directly funds energy programs and Consulate General Sao Paulo does not independently fund such events. Post estimates for FY2007 personnel costs for 2 Department of State FSOs working on energy issues part time of approximately USD 31,048 in salary. ¶2. (U) Post's POC for this activity is Economic Officer Sara Ainsworth, 55.11.5186.7243, email: AinsworthSJ@state.gov. WHITE