Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08WARSAW244
2008-02-22 14:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Warsaw
Cable title:  

POLAND INPUT FOR ENERGY REPORT TO CONGRESS

Tags:  ENRG SENV APER ABUD PL 
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VZCZCXRO4855
RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV
DE RUEHWR #0244/01 0531444
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 221444Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY WARSAW
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6006
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES
RUEHKW/AMCONSUL KRAKOW 2001
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 WARSAW 000244 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NCE LLOCHMAN, BPUTNEY, EEB/ESC/IEC (BGGRIFFIN)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG SENV APER ABUD PL
SUBJECT: POLAND INPUT FOR ENERGY REPORT TO CONGRESS

REF: STATE 10743

WARSAW 00000244 001.2 OF 002


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 WARSAW 000244

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NCE LLOCHMAN, BPUTNEY, EEB/ESC/IEC (BGGRIFFIN)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG SENV APER ABUD PL
SUBJECT: POLAND INPUT FOR ENERGY REPORT TO CONGRESS

REF: STATE 10743

WARSAW 00000244 001.2 OF 002



1. Poland produces limited quantities of oil and gas for
domestic consumption and serves as a transit route for
Russian gas pipelines to Western Europe. Poland has
significant coal reserves which are used to produce 90% of
its electricity. In response to reftel request, post is
pleased to provide the following information.


2. A. The Economic Section and Commercial Service sections
handle energy matters. The total number of staff in these
offices dealing with energy matters is 3 FSOs and 2 LES. The
Ambassador and DCM also engage in matters related to energy.


3. B. Individuals and percentage of their time spent
working on energy related issues:

Ambassador and DCM, 5% each
Economic Counselor, 10%
Deputy Economic Counselor, 50%
ESTH Officer, 20%
ESTH LES, 40%
Economic LES, 30%
Senior Commercial Officer, 5%
Commercial Officer, 5%
Commercial LES, 40%
Political Counselor 2%
Deputy Political Counselor - Internal 2%
Pol/Mil Officer - 2%


4. C. Description of energy-related duties and
qualifications including rank

Ambassador and DCM regularly engage Polish government
officials and energy company officials on energy issues.
Energy security is the only economic issue which is regularly
discussed in the U.S.-Poland Strategic Dialogue and in
high-level meetings.

Economic Counselor - FS 1. The Economic Counselor has
general oversight responsibilities for mission activities
related to energy issues. Incumbent has no energy training.

Deputy Economic Counselor - Position is FS2, Incumbent is FS

1. The Deputy Econ Counselor has the lead on Mission efforts
on all energy issues, especially supporting Poland's key
economic priority to promote its energy security through
diversification of supply. The Deputy has the lead in
sharing information and raising awareness of U.S. energy
priorities and policies within the Polish government.
Manages energy-themed visits by USG officials. Serves as a
point of contact for US and Polish energy companies. Major
energy issues in Poland have been privatization of the energy

sector, construction of the Odessa-Brody-Plock-Gdansk oil
pipeline, construction of a gas pipeline from Norway to
Poland, construction of an LNG port, use of Poland's coal
resources, Poland's desire to participate in the construction
of the Ignalina nuclear power plant, construction of an
electric energy bridge between Poland and Lithuania, and new
EU CO2 emissions restrictions. Supervises work of ESTH
Officer on climate change and renewables issues. Incumbent
is an electrical engineer with electric and nuclear energy
industry experience, previous experience as the Caspian
Region Energy Officer, and energy training sponsored by DOE
and State including the Houston Energy Officers course and
the Pittsburgh coal course.

ESTH Officer - FS 4 (rotational officer). Incumbent works on
climate change issues with the government, including Poland's
position on recent EU CO2 emission proposals. Reports on
renewable energy research and implementation, and nuclear
energy research. Assists Deputy in managing energy-themed
visits by USG officials. Officer will coordinate post
support for USG delegation to upcoming United Nations Climate
Change Conference in Poznan. Incumbent was previously
employed at DOE for 13 years and has training in crude oil
processing.

ESTH LES - FSN 10 - Incumbent researches events, legislation
and privatization in the energy industry. She also
researches climate change issues and maintains information on
the key decision makers in government and industry on both
issues.

Senior Commercial Officer - MC - Incumbent maintains contacts
with energy companies in the U.S. and Poland and advocates on
behalf of U.S. firms with the government of Poland. Keeps
Department of Commerce informed of issues affecting the
energy sector.

WARSAW 00000244 002.2 OF 002



Deputy Commercial Officer - FS-1 - Most of incumbent's time
on energy issues is in support of partnership post Lithuania
where key issues are the construction of a new nuclear power
plant to replace the Ignalina facility and the electric
energy bridge between Lithuania and Poland.

Commercial LES - Incumbent advocates on behalf of U.S.
companies with government officials, maintains contacts with
government decision makers in the energy sector, and supports
trade missions and other energy related visits.

Political Counselor - FS 1, Deputy Political Counselor - FS
2, Pol/Mil Officer - FS-3 - All regularly discuss energy
security issues with their contacts. Energy Security is a key
GOP goal which all Polish government officials want to
discuss with the U.S. None have energy training.


D. Budget: Salary costs based on time distribution included
in B above are estimated to be $226,179. Last year post
spent $1743 on training on energy issues and spent
approximately $257 or 7% of the Economic Section
representation budget on energy issues.


5. Embassy POC is Deputy Economic Counselor Laura Griesmer,
Griesmerla@state.gov
CURTIN