REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE IN FACILITATING TALKS WITH

UNCLAS STATE 075002 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP MNUC ASEC KCRM PARM PINR PREL CA XS SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE IN FACILITATING TALKS WITH ONTARIO POWER ON THE POTENTIAL EXTRACTION OF HELIUM-3 REF: A. OTTAWA 000522 ¶B. STATE 69767 ¶C. TECHNICAL APPROACH FOR ITC VOID-SPACE HE-3 RECOVERY (KESSLER-MACTAGGART E-MAIL 7-17-09) ¶1. (U) This is an action request for Consulate General Toronto. Please see paragraph 3. ¶2. (SBU) BACKGROUND: According to REF A, the Government of Canada (GOC) would welcome United States Government (USG) discussions with Canadian commercial entities regarding the extraction of Helium-3 (He-3). The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) emphasized Ontario Power's strong interest in pursuing discussions with USG officials on Helium-3 extraction and underlined the GOC's view that it play no "governmental" role in any commercial discussions. REF B contains detailed background information on the shortage of He-3 and its implications while REF C proposes an approach for extracting He-3 in Canada. ¶3. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Post is requested to pass REF C and arrange a meeting with the appropriate Ontario Power officials to discuss the items in paragraph 4 during the week of August 25, 2009 or September 1, 2009. In order to be better prepared to discuss specifics of an extraction process that might be used at the Ontario Power storage facility, Washington requests technical information on Ontario Power's storage units and layout of the facility in advance of the meeting. It is also requested, but not required, that a tour of the storage facility be arranged as part of the visit. The tentative USG delegation is listed in paragraph 5. Please note that Washington is assuming that a representative from post will be available to participate in the meeting, should that be desired. ¶4. (SBU) PROPOSED AGENDA: -- Introduction & Purpose of the visit -- He-3 Background -- Predicted He-3 demand and supply -- Impact on Radiation Detection -- Investigate vehicles that would allow for the harvesting of Ontario Power's He-3 -- Open Discussion ¶5. (SBU) TENTATIVE DELEGATION: --Greg Slovik (U.S. Department of Homeland Security) --Roger Lewis (U.S. Department of Energy) --Joseph Glaser (U.S. Department of Energy) --Michael Curry (U.S. Department of State) --2-3 Technical Experts (Savannah River National Laboratory) --Consulate General Toronto Staff ¶6. (SBU) REPORTING DEADLINE: Washington requests that Post respond via front-channel cable no later than July 24, 2009. ¶7. (SBU) Washington appreciates Post's assistance. Contact Michael Curry (currymr@state.gov),202-736-7692 in ISN/WMDT for additional information. CLINTON