ACTION REQUEST: INTENSIFIED U.S.-EU EXPERT-

UNCLAS STATE 098088

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KGHG EAGR SENV ENRG TRGY EUN SIPDIS
SUBJECT: ACTION REQUEST: INTENSIFIED U.S.-EU EXPERT-
LEVEL MEETINGS ON BIOFUELS SUSTAINABILITY

REF: USEU 1171


1. This is an action request for USEU Brussels.

OBJECTIVES


2. Department instructs Post to pursue the following
action plan:

-- Work with European Commission (EC) expert-level
contacts, EPA, DOE, USDA, and other USG agencies to
schedule and conduct a bilateral Digital Videoconference
(DVC) in late September on biofuels sustainability. The
focus would be on the U.S. presenting the draft
sustainability criteria currently being developed by the
interagency Sustainability Working Group (SWG),and
planned to be presented to the Biomass Research and
Development Board in mid-September, and the EU
presenting the latest developments in their work on
sustainability criteria.

-- Please work to ensure that the next round of
discussions involves a meaningful exchange. Work
closely with appropriate USG agencies and the EC to
develop a detailed agenda including specific agenda
items, determining who will lead on each point for each
side, and assigning lead on some points to the EC.

-- Following on the DVC, please work with appropriate
USG agencies to develop and pursue appropriate follow-up
in order to reach the interagency goal.

-- Our initial policy goal is to continue and strengthen
the cooperative exchanges on sustainability criteria
between experts on both sides, to ensure that biofuels
sustainability criteria developed by the EU are grounded
in science and compatible with U.S. criteria. Given
that the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
(EISA) commits the USG to a similar examination, the
ideal outcome would be compatible criteria for assessing
biofuels sustainability on both sides of the Atlantic.

-- Our broad-gauge policy goal is to influence European
Commission experts, as they develop sustainability
criteria for biofuels, to rely on science; to work
towards compatibility or at least general alignment with
criteria, methodologies and work undertaken by the U.S.;
and to incorporate additional scientific information as
it emerges.

-- These efforts are distinct from, but complementary to
and consistent with, our efforts in the Global Bio-
Energy Partnership to work with the Europeans and others
on voluntary criteria and methodologies for use in the
conduct of lifecyle or well-to-tank/well-to-wheel
greenhouse gas analysis of biofuels.

-- For your reference, the interagency community expects
to seek an additional follow-up videoconference after
the draft regulations for biofuels pursuant to EISA have
been issued.

REPORTING DEADLINE AND POINTS OF CONTACT


3. Post should report results of effort by cable to
EUR/ERA Matthew Beh (202 647 1820, behmk@state.gov) and
OES/EGC Drew Nelson (202 736 7444, nelsonds@state.gov)
before September 16, 2008. Please contact them by phone
or email with any questions or requests for background
information.

BACKGROUND AND GUIDANCE POINTS


4. Department expresses appreciation for Reftel as the
summary of activity on this topic on the EU side.
Please see forthcoming Septel for USG points for further
engagement on this topic.
RICE