VZCZCXYZ0009
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRK #0022 0461659
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 151659Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3570
INFO RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN 0364

UNCLAS REYKJAVIK 000022 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/NB, EEB/ESC/IEC GLENN GRIFFIN 
COPENHAGEN FOR ESTH HUB 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: ENRG SENV APER ABUD IC
SUBJECT: REYKJAVIK INPUT FOR ENERGY REPORT TO CONGRESS 
 
REF: STATE 10743 
 
¶1. Iceland produces nearly all of its electricity and home heating 
from the renewable resources of hydropower and geothermal power. 
The responses below are keyed to questions in reftel. 
 
¶A. The Economic and Commercial Section handles energy matters.  The 
total number of staff in this section is one FSO and two locally 
engaged staff.  The Ambassador and DCM are also frequently engaged 
in matters pertaining to energy, as well as the Public Affairs 
Officer. 
 
¶B. Individuals and percentage of their time spent working on energy 
issues: 
 
1 Economic and Commercial Officer, 25 percent 
1 Economic and Commercial Assistant, 15 percent 
1 Public Affairs Officer, 5 percent 
1 Deputy Chief of Mission, 10 percent 
1 Ambassador, 10 percent 
 
¶C. Description of energy-related duties and qualifications (none 
have special energy-related qualifications): 
 
1 Economic and Commercial Officer, FS 3, conducts dialogue with 
government and government owned energy producers, reports on 
renewable energy development and related innovations, seeks avenues 
of bilateral cooperation in renewable energy research, manages 
energy-themed visits by USG officials. 
 
1 Economic and Commercial Assistant, FSN 9, provides media summaries 
and analysis of renewable energy developments and climate change, 
provides input to reporting on renewable energy area. 
 
1 Public Affairs Officer, FS 3, promotes USG renewable energy and 
climate change efforts in the media, supports energy-themed visits 
by USG officials. 
 
1 Deputy Chief of Mission, OC, Engages Icelandic government and 
energy contacts on USG efforts in renewable energy sector, promotes 
US interests in energy sector, seeks avenues of bilateral 
cooperation in renewable energy research. 
 
1 Ambassador, MC, Engages Icelandic government and energy contacts 
on energy issues through meetings and public events, promotes US 
interests in energy sector, seeks avenues of bilateral cooperation 
in renewable energy research. 
 
¶D. State Department funds spent by Embassy Reykjavik on energy 
related activities: 
 
Total FY 2007 pro-rated salary costs: $52,100 
 
Programs: $700 (energy related domestic travel) 
 
 
van Voorst