OPG SETS PREREQUISITES FOR DISCUSSIONS FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L TORONTO 000186 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2019 TAGS: MNUC ASEC KNNP CA SUBJECT: OPG SETS PREREQUISITES FOR DISCUSSIONS FOR HELIUM-3 EXTRACTION REF: A. CURRY/MACTAGGART 8-17-09 E-MAIL ¶B. STATE 082558 Classified By: Pol-Econ Chief Lee MacTaggart (1.4 (d),(e),(f)) 1.(SBU) IAW reftel, Post delivered the request for information to Ontario Power Generation's (OPG) officials and followed up with a meeting to reiterate USG interest in obtaining OPG's supply of tritium. 2.(C) OPG officials again stressed the importance of receiving an "official" request for proposal (RFP) or expression of interest from an appropriate USG entity. According to OPG's Mario Cornacchia (Director of Commercial Services),the RFP or expression of interest would allow OPG to defend itself against potential complaints from other parties interested in obtaining helium-3 from OPG's tritium stockpile. (Note: It appears that OPG would prefer to transfer the tritium directly to the USG, rather than through a private third party, but does not want to be seen as having chosen the USG over other interested parties. As Cornacchia explained, "This way, we're just simply responding to a request for proposal or an expression of interest from DoE." End note.) 3.(C) When asked for OPG's minimum requirements in such an expression, Cornacchia responded that the USG request should state: a. USG need for helium-3 b. Specific identification of OPG as a source c. USG interest in OPG sources d. USG request for consultations/site visit 4.(C) Cornacchia opined that the talking points in reftel would be appropriate if incorporated into a RFP or expression of interest on "official letterhead," suggesting that it could be based on an OPG template (reference e-mail),or that it could be similar to a request for expression of interest issued by Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS-F5200-2009-00005) and handed a copy of the SRNS request to Pol-Econ Chief. According to Cornacchia, a USG expression of interest or request for proposal would result in an invitation from OPG to begin a direct dialogue. 5.(C) While they did not flatly rule out more detailed discussions with USG officials prior to the issuance of a RFP or expression of interest, it is clear that OPG officials expect to follow a step-by-step procedure, and an official RFP or expression of interest is the necessary first step. BYSFIELD