Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STOCKHOLM399
2009-07-02 10:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:
SWEDEN WELCOMES "NEXT BIG THING" INITIATIVE
how-toVZCZCXRO4851 OO RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSL RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHSM #0399 1831009 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 021009Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4467 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS IMMEDIATE INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI IMMEDIATE 0093 RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000399
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP ECON ENRG KGHG KPAO OEXC PREL SENV SW
SUBJECT: SWEDEN WELCOMES "NEXT BIG THING" INITIATIVE
REF: A. STATE 64364
B. STOCKHOLM 202
C. USEU MINCOUNS CHASE EMAIL OF JUNE 26
UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000399
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP ECON ENRG KGHG KPAO OEXC PREL SENV SW
SUBJECT: SWEDEN WELCOMES "NEXT BIG THING" INITIATIVE
REF: A. STATE 64364
B. STOCKHOLM 202
C. USEU MINCOUNS CHASE EMAIL OF JUNE 26
1. (SBU) On July 2, Swedish MFA State Secretary Frank
Belfrage told CDA that the "Next Big Thing" alternative
energy technology initiative (NBT),as outlined in ref c, was
"good news" and "exactly the kind of hands-on transatlantic
cooperation we need for the Swedish Presidency." He
recommended that the US side also talk with the EU Commission
about it; the Swedish MFA has discussed with the Commission
which seems very much in favor of it, per Belfrage.
2. (SBU) Belfrage cited also the June 19 European Council
conclusions as obliquely supporting both the US-EU Energy
Council and the "Next Big Thing," with the later as the
technology arm of the Council. Paragraph 43 of the Council
Conclusions states in part: "The European Council reaffirms
the strategic importance of transatlantic
relations....Furthermore, the European Council welcomes the
fact that the US proposed to enhance cooperation between the
US and the EU on energy issues." Belfrage stressed that
"energy issues" included both energy security and energy
technology, and that Sweden is well placed to expand our
existing bilateral alternative energy technology partnership
during its Presidency.
3. (SBU) Belfrage's one note of caution was to ensure that
NBT would not bee seen as a substitute for the tough work of
the climate negotiators. CDA assured him that it was not the
case. Belfrage agreed, and said he saw NBT as a way of
helping to facilitate a global climate agreement at the
COP-15 in Copenhagen.
4. (SBU) Separately, on July 1, A/DCM Kirkconnell and
DOE/EERE Director for Strategic Planning Rodgers held a
teleconference with Tomas Kaberger, DirGen of the Swedish
Energy Agency, to discuss programs under the existing
bilateral alternative energy partnership. Rodgers noted
that several joint goals going forward would require bringing
in the EU, and he noted there is a proposal (the US-EU Energy
Council) to do just that. Rodgers said promising areas for
such cooperation include harmonizing standards and test
procedures -- lighting technologies, car batteries and
electric drivetrains. Kaberger agreed, noting for example
that the Germans are pushing within the EU for an exclusive
standard for plug-in hybrids that they are developing.
Kaberger noted that EU collaboration takes longer and is
harder to govern than our bilateral cooperation, but he
agreed with Rodgers it is necessary. Kaberger also asked
Rodgers that DOE send an appropriate high-level US official
to two upcoming events in Sweden: a bio energy and
cleantech conference in September, and a plug-in hybrid
conference in October.
5. (SBU) Comment: We have a flashing green light from the
Swedes to pursue the NBT with the Commission and then with
other member state governments.
SILVERMAN
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP ECON ENRG KGHG KPAO OEXC PREL SENV SW
SUBJECT: SWEDEN WELCOMES "NEXT BIG THING" INITIATIVE
REF: A. STATE 64364
B. STOCKHOLM 202
C. USEU MINCOUNS CHASE EMAIL OF JUNE 26
1. (SBU) On July 2, Swedish MFA State Secretary Frank
Belfrage told CDA that the "Next Big Thing" alternative
energy technology initiative (NBT),as outlined in ref c, was
"good news" and "exactly the kind of hands-on transatlantic
cooperation we need for the Swedish Presidency." He
recommended that the US side also talk with the EU Commission
about it; the Swedish MFA has discussed with the Commission
which seems very much in favor of it, per Belfrage.
2. (SBU) Belfrage cited also the June 19 European Council
conclusions as obliquely supporting both the US-EU Energy
Council and the "Next Big Thing," with the later as the
technology arm of the Council. Paragraph 43 of the Council
Conclusions states in part: "The European Council reaffirms
the strategic importance of transatlantic
relations....Furthermore, the European Council welcomes the
fact that the US proposed to enhance cooperation between the
US and the EU on energy issues." Belfrage stressed that
"energy issues" included both energy security and energy
technology, and that Sweden is well placed to expand our
existing bilateral alternative energy technology partnership
during its Presidency.
3. (SBU) Belfrage's one note of caution was to ensure that
NBT would not bee seen as a substitute for the tough work of
the climate negotiators. CDA assured him that it was not the
case. Belfrage agreed, and said he saw NBT as a way of
helping to facilitate a global climate agreement at the
COP-15 in Copenhagen.
4. (SBU) Separately, on July 1, A/DCM Kirkconnell and
DOE/EERE Director for Strategic Planning Rodgers held a
teleconference with Tomas Kaberger, DirGen of the Swedish
Energy Agency, to discuss programs under the existing
bilateral alternative energy partnership. Rodgers noted
that several joint goals going forward would require bringing
in the EU, and he noted there is a proposal (the US-EU Energy
Council) to do just that. Rodgers said promising areas for
such cooperation include harmonizing standards and test
procedures -- lighting technologies, car batteries and
electric drivetrains. Kaberger agreed, noting for example
that the Germans are pushing within the EU for an exclusive
standard for plug-in hybrids that they are developing.
Kaberger noted that EU collaboration takes longer and is
harder to govern than our bilateral cooperation, but he
agreed with Rodgers it is necessary. Kaberger also asked
Rodgers that DOE send an appropriate high-level US official
to two upcoming events in Sweden: a bio energy and
cleantech conference in September, and a plug-in hybrid
conference in October.
5. (SBU) Comment: We have a flashing green light from the
Swedes to pursue the NBT with the Commission and then with
other member state governments.
SILVERMAN