SUB REGIONAL PROJECT - NORDIC BALTIC REGION

UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000435

SIPDIS

SECSTATE FOR EUR/PPD, EUR/NB, ECA/PE/V/R/E

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OEXC KPAO SCUL SW
SUBJECT: SUB REGIONAL PROJECT - NORDIC BALTIC REGION

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: ALTERNATIVE ENERGY AND ENERGY SECURITY FOR THE
NORDIC-BALTIC REGION


1. Embassy Stockholm requests that ECA/PE/V/R/E design a
Sub-Regional Project on alternative energy for the Nordic-Baltic
region. Renewable energy and energy security are already at the top
of European public and governmental agendas. With the Bali roadmap
to a post-Kyoto climate change regime culminating at the COP-15
climate summit in Copenhagen in December 2009, and Sweden taking
over the EU presidency in the latter half of 2009, interest in this
issue in the region can only grow. While each country in the
Nordic-Baltic region comes at the issue from a different angle, a
program focused on alternative energy as a component of energy
security and on the full spectrum of renewable energy alternatives,
and how these can support specific, localized energy needs, would
benefit this region.

Post encourages all Nordic-Baltic posts to identify qualified
candidates. We are pleased to provide missions with a description
of the subject program.


2. COMMUNICATION GOALS:
-- To examine how U.S. Government agencies, state and local
governments, and private industry are finding alternative energy
solutions relevant to Baltic and Nordic posts;

-- To assert the need for diversification of energy resources to
promote energy security;

-- To exchange scientific and technical knowledge among participants
and U.S. scientists and engineers, fostering a climate of science
diplomacy by highlighting that the U.S. and Europe have common
ground in energy issues.


3. PARTICIPANTS

This project is designed for local and national government agency
scientists and engineers, non-governmental organization
representatives, researchers, and science or environment journalists
involved in climate and energy issues.


4. SUMMARY

This SRP covering alternative energy issues is designed to address
the Nordics' concern for clean energy technology, while also
demonstrating ways the Baltic countries can continue to strengthen
energy security independent of the current need for Russian oil.
Despite previous thought that these two issues should be treated
apart from each other, energy security and alternative energy can no
longer be treated separately. An engineering focus to the SRP will
show how American companies - from Fortune 500 corporations to small
businesses - implement cutting-edge technologies for developing
renewable energy.

The urgency for this SRP is grounded in policy. Climate and energy
issues in the Nordics and Baltics have themselves brought science
diplomacy back to the foreground, and science diplomacy is realizing
a new significance that can be capitalized on right now. There are
immediate needs at posts as the current administration has sought to
carve out the U.S. relevancy and leadership role in the climate
discussion.

Proposed program dates are February 2 to 20, 2009.


5. NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION PROGRAM

Meetings with Department of State (DOS) and the White House Office
of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) will offer an overview of
current U.S. Government policy and the factors shape current policy.
A briefing at the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy will compare different ways
renewable energy is generated, renewable energy investment by public
and private sectors, trends in renewable energy costs, and barriers
to wider use of renewable energy. The program will examine how these
factors influence U.S. energy policy. The participants will also
have meetings on Capitol Hill that will examine the status of energy
legislation.


6. NATIONAL PROGRAM

The national itinerary will focus on public and private initiatives
at the state and local levels. Participants will visit national
laboratories that perform research on carbon capture and storage, as
well biofuels from forest products. Participants will visit a carbon
emissions trade market and green builders that incorporate energy
alternatives into architectural design. State governments' programs
that sell carbon offsets, identify new technologies for industry,
and develop bio-economies and infrastructure development will also
be explored. For each visit, participants will examine how private
industry and state governments can work parallel to or in concert
with larger U.S. energy policy. Participants will also meet
representative of interest groups and environmental advocacy
organizations, to hear their policy perspectives and their
strategies to shape the policy debate. Visits to academic
institutions will provide background on research being done on
renewable energy in general.


7. ACTION REQUEST

Missions intending to participate in this program and wishing to
nominate qualified candidates are requested to notify Stephen Taylor
(TaylorSE@state.gov) at ECA/PE/V/R/E through their Public Affairs
Section. Stockholm appreciates ECA support of the program and these
important issues.

WOOD