EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM IN CHILE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 SANTIAGO 000214 STATE FOR WHA/BSC LEAH CATO STATE FOR OES/STC EILEEN KANE STATE FOF WHA/EPSC FAITH CORNEILLE AND FRANCES COLON EMBASSY RASILIA FOR ANNE BRAGEHETTA STATE FOR EEB/ESC/IEC SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ENRG SENV TRGY PGOV CI SUBJECT: EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM IN CHILE REF: A) STATE 10843; B) SANTIAGO 93; C) SANTIAGO 202 ¶1. (U) Embassy Santiago would like to submit the following two proposals for Embassy Science Fellows (ref a). The requests are separate and independent of each other. ¶2. (U) The point of contact for the proposals is ESTH officer Mary Brett Rogers-Springs; rogers-springsmb@state.gov; telephone: (56)(2)330-3334; fax: (56)(2)330-3118. Back-up is Senior Economic Officer Alexander (Sasha) Kasanof: kasanofa@state.gov; telephone: (56)(2)330-3397; fax: (56)(2)330-3118. PROPOSAL 1: Policy Development on Renewables/Clean Coal Technology -------------- -------------- ¶3. (U) Post would like to request an Embassy Science Fellow to encourage the development of renewable energy sources and the use of clean coal technology in Chile, which will help reduce the environmental impact of coal energy generation. The Fellow would engage with Chile's National Energy Commission (CNE, www.cne.cl), the National Environmental Commission (CONAMA, www.conama.cl),and a non-governmental organization called Fundacion Chile, as well as other government and private sector contacts. This would be a three-month assignment with a flexible timeframe. A medical clearance would be necessary; however, a security clearance is not required. This project would benefit from a Fellow with experience in renewable energy, energy technologies, engineering, environmental law and regulation, and/or energy and environmental policy. An ideal candidate would also have a strong command of both spoken and written Spanish. ¶4. (SBU) BACKGROUND: Chile faces an energy crisis triggered by decreased supplies of natural gas from Argentina and reduced rainfall, forcing the thermal energy infrastructure to rely more heavily on expensive diesel and to consider increasing the use of coal. ¶5. (U) Despite an increasing number of renewable energy projects, especially wind farms, coal in the short run will be an important source of electricity for Chile (ref b). Currently, coal represents 15 percent of this capacity, but the number of projects using coal for generating electricity has increased considerably since 2007. Taking into account plants under construction, projects already approved by the National Environmental Commission (CONAMA) or in the approval process, by 2012 Chile will be producing over 7,200 MW using coal, an amount equivalent to 55 percent of the country's total capacity. According to a government report, increasing coal's share in electricity generation will increase Chile's annual carbon dioxide emissions by four times; from 70 million tons to close to 300 million by 2030. Currently, the CNE and CONAMA are considering new regulations for coal thermoelectric plants. ¶6. (SBU) The GOC has dedicated resources to design a long-term energy policy. This effort includes studying all energy options to avoid a situation where the supply and cost of energy becomes an obstacle to the country's development and economic growth. Chilean officials have consistently requested U.S. collaboration on energy and environmental issues. Post has committed itself to provide support to Chile in developing this policy, which aims to diversify Chile's energy matrix and provide greater energy security. ¶7. (U) PROPOSED WORK PROGRAM: The Embassy Science Fellow would work with CNE and CONAMA's legal and environmental units to identify or develop programs and policies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired plants. S/he would also work with Fundacion Chile to promote clean coal technology and capacity-building programs to support private sector electricity generation companies in efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, s/he would evaluate current measures and plans developed by the GOC on clean coal technology to identify weaknesses, strengths, areas of improvement, and policy or regulatory alternatives. ¶8. (U) Chile is also in the process of developing a renewable energy center as part of its plan to balance its three main energy goals of security, efficiency, and environmental sustainability. The center SANTIAGO 00000214 002 OF 003 is envisioned as an information clearing house to identify clean technology developments and best practices and then coordinate the dissemination of such information throughout the country. Chile recently announced that it has funding and plans to launch the center in 2009 (ref c). A Fellow could advise CNE policy-makers on how to develop the center. S/he could also provide a connection to USG resources to support the center and help build capacity. ¶9. (U) Post will provide housing in Santiago, use of office space in the Political-Economic section at the Embassy, and other travel and logistical support as required. ¶10. (U) Embassy RSO and Management have approved this request. PROPOSAL 2: Advisor on Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency Projects -------------- -------------- ¶11. (U) Post would like to request an Embassy Science Fellow to work with public and private sector contacts as an advisor in developing and implementing specific projects to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency awareness and education. This would be a three month assignment from August to October 2009, although post can be flexible. A medical clearance would be necessary; however, a security clearance is not required. The current outline of these projects is broad enough to benefit from a Fellow with experience in several different areas, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, engineering, project management, and/or education. In-depth knowledge of these areas would not be required. An ideal candidate would have a strong command of both spoken and written Spanish. ¶12. (SBU) BACKGROUND: Two of post's priority areas for engaging with Chile are energy and environment. In October 2008, the Embassy organized a roundtable discussion with Dr. Edward Guiliano, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT),private sector business people, government representatives, and educators who work on renewable energy and energy efficiency. Participants exchanged ideas on how to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency in Chile. The overall goal of the discussion was to develop an outline of a collaborative "deliverable" in the form of a pilot/demonstration project incorporating renewable energy and energy efficiency. Three general ideas were developed: (1) A mobile demonstration project for a broad public audience, especially youth, that focuses on a hands-on approach to educating about energy efficiency and renewable energy options; (2) A contest for university students that would encourage them to develop a local project focused on energy efficiency and renewables, including developing new power generation ideas; (3) A project geared toward lower-income brackets (those most affected by rising energy prices) that could also be a demonstration project, but would have a heavy educational component and likely be more focused on outreach. ¶13. (U) PROPOSED WORK PROGRAM: Post would like an Embassy Fellow to work with the government, private sector, and university contacts to foster collaboration, further develop the project ideas, help create workplans and outreach strategies, and begin implementation of the projects. ¶14. (U) While the duration of the projects themselves should not be more than 3-6 months, post anticipates they will have a longer-term impact. In addition to public outreach and education, the projects are intended to foster relationships between people and organization with the ability to design and implement projects and programs, institute formal training programs, develop sustainable building processes, further public-private partnerships, increase university collaboration, etc. In addition, having a Fellow engaged in this process would help post identify areas for further collaboration. ¶15. (U) Post will provide housing in Santiago, use of office space in the Political-Economic section at the Embassy, and other travel SANTIAGO 00000214 003 OF 003 and logistical support as required. ¶16. (U) Embassy RSO and Management have approved this request. SIMONS