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