Discussion with Sweden on Next Steps to Launch the "Next

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STOCKHOLM 000513

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EIND ENRG EUN EWWT KGHG SENV TPHY TRGY
TSPL, SW
SUBJECT: Discussion with Sweden on Next Steps to Launch the "Next
Big Thing" (Alternative Energy Partnership)

Ref: (A) State 64364 (B) Stockholm 399 (C) Stockholm 202; (D)
Brussels 1031


1. (U) Summary: Swedish officials are enthusiastic about launching
the "Next Big Thing," a U.S.-EU Alternative Energy Partnership
modeled on the U.S.-Sweden partnership. State Secretary for Energy
Ola Altera said he will contact Sweden's Perm Rep in Brussels as
soon as he had reviewed this with his counterparts at the Foreign
Ministry. The Swedes know that in order to do this during their
Presidency, they must act with some urgency now. Embassy and
Ministry officials discussed possible timing for a public launching
of the alternative energy partnership by senior U.S. and Swedish
officials, perhaps in the lead-up to the U.S.-EU Summit. End
Summary


2. (U) On August 11, Charge and Embassy officials met with State
Secretary of Energy Ola Altera and Swedish Ministry of Enterprise
and Energy officials to follow up on the Charges' July 1 discussion
with Foreign Ministry State Secretary Frank Belfrage (REF B),in
which Belfrage welcomed the U.S. proposal to launch an U.S.-EU
alternative energy partnership (REF A) modeled on the U.S.-Sweden
alternative energy partnership, the "One Big Thing." Altera and the
other officials were anxious to launch the EU-wide partnership,
dubbed the "Next Big Thing," during Sweden's EU Presidency and noted
the need to act urgently. Altera suggested a joint USEU and Swedish
approach to the Commission, and said that after consulting with
Belfrage and the Prime Minister's State Secretary Gustav Lind, he
would contact Sweden's Perm Rep in Brussels.


3. (SBU) The U.S. and Swedish sides discussed timing of next steps,
and what might be a suitable forum for the possible announcement.
Altera was interested in some kind of event where Minister for
Enterprise and Energy Maud Olofsson and U.S. Secretary of Energy
Secretary Chu could announce the initiative, perhaps in the run-up
to the U.S.-EU Summit, planned for November 2009. One suggestion
was at the first meeting of the Energy Technology Working Group of
the U.S.-proposed EU-U.S. Energy Council. Altera noted that
although he knew his EU colleagues favored the Energy Council
proposal, he was not current on the status of acceptance of the
proposal by the Commission or EU Council as a Summit deliverable.
The two sides discussed the natural linkage between the Energy
Council Proposal's work on technology and NBT, but shared the
concern that launching of the NBT not be held up by any differing
Member State or Commission perspectives on the Council. Altera
noted that it might be wise to not link the NBT too closely with the
Energy Technology working group of the proposed Energy Council yet,
until we know what will happen with the Energy Council.


4. (U) Swedish officials noted that the Informal Meeting of the EU
Competitiveness Council in Umea (October 14-16, hosted by Minister
Olofsson) could potentially be a suitable forum for an NBT
announcement. Altera noted that the private sector, both SME's and
large corporations, will have a large role at the meeting, which
will have eco-efficient economies as its main theme. The Swedes
said they had invited U.S. Assistant to the President for Energy and
Climate Carol Browner to this event, but have not heard whether she
will attend.


5. (SBU) Embassy Commercial Counselor Frank Carrico noted that the
announcement of the Next Big Thing partnership should be preceded by
actual projects being developed. This led to discussion of the
considerable activity on EU and national clean technology standards,
including standards on energy efficiency in buildings and
sustainable construction. Altera said the Swedish Presidency's aim
is to reach an agreement on the Directive on the energy performance
of buildings, as well as two other proposals on energy efficiency
(labeling and tires),by December.


6. (U) Altera said his office would strategize about how
possibilities for alternative energy commercial partnerships could
be presented for firms from the U.S. and EU countries. He suggested
using the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise and its counterpart
organizations throughout Europe, the Am Cham, and/or the Chambers of
Commerce to establish a mechanism for all sizes of companies to make
their work known and seek connections with other partners. The
Embassy Public Affairs Counselor suggested setting up something like
a private sector or non-governmental "U.S.-EU green connect site"
where information about U.S. and European firms could be posted and
shared. Altera promised to get back to us soon about suggested next
steps.


7. (U) To help publicize the partnership, the Embassy Public
Affairs Counselor suggested a draft Op-Ed possibly signed by a U.S.,
Swedish and Commission official.

GOS participants:
Ola Altera, State Secretary for Energy issues at the Ministry of

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Enterprise and Energy
Frank Nilsson, Press secretary to Energy Minister Maud Olofsson
Bengt Toresson, GOS' OBT liaison
Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist, Political advisor to Maud Olofsson
(replacing Anders Nyberg who is on AL)
Maria Brogren, Energy Division, responsible for Energy research

USG Participants:
Charg Bob Silverman
A/DCM Laura Kirkconnell
SCO Frank Carrico
PAO Chris Dunnett
ECON FSN Annika Henningsson

SILVERMAN