CIVIL NUCLEAR WORKING GROUP OF THE TRADE PROMOTION

UNCLAS STATE 127423


ALSO VILNIUS PLEASE PASS TO MINSK

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG TRGY BEXP BTIO
SUBJECT: CIVIL NUCLEAR WORKING GROUP OF THE TRADE PROMOTION
COORDINATING COMMITTEE REQUESTS INFORMATION SUPPORT ON
COUNTRIES PLANS TO PURSUE NUCLEAR ENERGY

REF: UNVIE 576



1. THIS IS AN ACTION REQUEST: Please see paras 5-8.


2. SUMMARY. At the first meeting of the Civil Nuclear
Interagency Working Group of the Trade Promotion Coordinating
Committee on August 27, 2008, representatives of several USG
agencies agreed to request that selected Posts report on in-
country developments regarding civil nuclear energy to provide
a current overview of host countrys plans in this sector.
This reporting will be used to inform policy makers, identify
market opportunities, and support trade promotion activities
for the U.S. civil nuclear industry. END SUMMARY.


3. BACKGROUND. To support an emerging U.S. civil nuclear
industry as it competes in global markets, the International
Trade Administration (ITA),within the U.S. Department of
Commerce, has developed the Civil Nuclear Trade Initiative.
Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez officially announced the
Initiative on October 8, 2008 at the Civil Nuclear Energy
Summit at the Department of Commerce. The Summit, co-
organized by the Departments of Commerce and Energy, focused
on renewing Americas nuclear energy partnership for energy
security and economic growth and included over 200 leaders
from the sector. The summary of the conference proceedings
and presentations are available at:
www.ita.doc.gov/td/energy/nuclear.htm.


4. The Civil Nuclear Trade Initiative (see
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-198 39.pdf):

-- Created a new interagency Trade Promotion Coordinating
Committee (TPCC) Working Group, to coordinate international
U.S. policy and activities affecting U.S. civil nuclear trade;

-- Established a Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee
(CINTAC),composed of U.S. industry representatives that will
provide consensus advice from the U.S. civil nuclear industry
to the Secretary of Commerce;

-- Inaugurated industry promotional activities at the
International Atomic Energy Agencys General Conference in
Vienna, Austria, September 29 - October 4, 2008, which
included a U.S. nuclear industry exhibit and reception and a
policymakers roundtable (see reftel for summary); and

-- Seeks, under the auspices of the Department of Commerce, to
identify U.S. civil nuclear trade mission opportunities to key
overseas markets (e.g., Commercial Nuclear Trade Mission to
India). END BACKGROUND.


5. ACTION REQUEST. Department requests assistance from
designated Posts to provide a brief, current overview of host
countrys planned nuclear energy program. Post should seek
out meetings with host government energy, industry, foreign
affairs, and trade representatives and key officials and
representatives in other appropriate private sectors. Posts
may wish to draw from background above to describe the
International Trade Administrations (ITA) Civil Nuclear Trade
Initiative and promote opportunities for U.S. civil nuclear
industry. Post may also advise host governments that nuclear
infrastructure development assistance programs may be
available through the USG, commensurate with need and subject
to availability of limited resources.


6. To maximize the effectiveness of reporting cables to both
the civil nuclear industry and policymakers, Department
requests that Posts send information via unclassified cable.
Where necessary, classified information should be sent septel
with a reference to the unclassified reporting cable.


7. Department requests that Posts seek responses to the
following questions and report back to Washington by December
23, 2008. Not all questions may be relevant for each country.
Some questions may have already been asked and answered in
recent reporting, in which case such reporting should be
referenced in replying to this cable. Expressions of serious
interest should be noted to allow Washington to follow-up as
appropriate. Future updates on civil nuclear developments are
encouraged, as merited.


8. CIVIL NUCLEAR SECTOR REPORTING REQUESTED.

Overview of Civil Nuclear Power Program
--------------

-- Describe any plans for the development of nuclear power in
your country. Also, describe any existing or planned nuclear
power related facilities in your country, such as uranium
mining, if any. Do you foresee an expansion of these
facilities?

-- If your country is considering the pursuit of nuclear
power, describe the underlying motivations (e.g., current or
anticipated power shortages, energy security, or other
industrial uses, such as desalination).

-- If there are plans to pursue nuclear power, describe the
anticipated government role in the financing of its civil
nuclear sector. For example, does the government plan to
provide subsidies, tax breaks, loan guarantees, or other
financial incentives? Would some or all nuclear power plants
be state-owned and operated? Would you seek financing from
international investment banks and organizations or consortium
arrangements?

-- What are the names and titles of the key nuclear decision
making government bodies and top officials?

-- Does your country have an existing nuclear regulatory
authority? What are its inspection/enforcement powers? If
so, how large is it (i.e., how many people does it employ)?
If not, are there plans to establish such an authority?

-- Does your country have a domestic nuclear liability law?
If so, please summarize its major elements. In particular, is
there a minimum level of required liability coverage required
for operation? If your country is not party to an
international liability regime, is there any consideration
being given to joining one? If so, which international
liability regime (Vienna Convention, Paris Convention,
Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage)
is being considered.

-- Is the manufacturing base in your country (including high-
tech components and heavy industry) involved in nuclear-
related products or services? Does it seem likely that any
components or contracting services for new plants could be
sourced locally, or would the majority of these need to be
imported?

-- How extensive is your countrys nuclear-trained workforce?
Does your country have a significant engineering, technician
and construction base that could be readily converted into a
nuclear workforce (e.g., engineers, high precision
manufacturing, robust quality assurance programs, high quality
construction)? Will the development of civil nuclear power
require a significant foreign workforce? Are programs in
place, or being developed, for training of domestic personnel
(e.g., in skilled trades and nuclear regulation)?

Opportunities for U.S. Industry
--------------

-- Does your country have any current or anticipated nuclear-
related tenders? If so, please describe the tender/selection
process for new contracts, its timing, and indicate any U.S.
firms considering bidding.

-- What nuclear sector opportunities do you foresee for U.S.
industry (e.g., feasibility studies or other consulting
services, plant construction management, reactor sales, fuel
cycle service provision, plant operations, waste management,
or logistics)?

-- If applicable, what are the primary companies (domestic and
foreign) involved in (or considering involvement in) your
countrys civil nuclear sector? Please include utilities,
plant operators, fuel cycle service providers, technology
vendors, and major construction or consulting firms.

Foreign Competitors
--------------

-- Are there other nuclear supplier countries engaging your
country? Please describe any available details on formal
agreements including existing or potential (1) MOUs on nuclear
cooperation; (2) legal frameworks for nuclear commerce; or (3)
arrangements for technical or information exchanges.

-- Are there any political considerations your country may
take into account when choosing to cooperate with competing
nuclear supplier states?


9. Post assistance in this request is much appreciated.
Commerce Department point of contact is Sarah Lopp (202-482-
3851, sarah.lopp@mail.doc.gov); State Department point of
contact is Marc Humphrey (202-647-6103, HumphreyMA@state.gov).


RICE