VZCZCXYZ0005
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DE RUEHC #9767 1872004
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 061941Z JUL 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA IMMEDIATE 5725
INFO RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA IMMEDIATE 5145
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEAORC/US CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE 0817
RHMFIUU/NRC WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE 4930
RUETIAA/DIRNSA FT GEORGE G MEADE MD IMMEDIATE 2393
RHMCSUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE 9662

UNCLAS STATE 069767 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KNNP MNUC ASEC KCRM PARM PINR PREL CA XS
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CANADIAN 
GOVERNMENT ON THE POTENTIAL EXTRACTION OF HELIUM-3 
 
¶1.  (U) This is an action request for Embassy Ottawa.  Please 
see paragraph 3. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) BACKGROUND: Since September 11, 2001, United States 
Government commercial use of helium-3 has grown faster than 
available supply.  As a result, the United States faces a 
shortage of helium-3 (He-3). He-3 is a primary material 
requirement for radiation detection equipment.  An 
interagency group has been formed to assess the immediate, 
mid-term, and long-term implications of this shortage. 
 
The Department of Energy's (DOE) Second Line of Defense 
Program only has a sufficient supply for about 20% of the 
radiation detection equipment that is responsible for the 
Global Nuclear Detection Architecture. Additional DOE 
programs, as well as programs at the Department of Homeland 
Security, Department of Defense, and other agencies are also 
impacted by this current, and projected to be long-term 
shortage. Canada has a supply of He-3, which is produced 
during the decay of tritium. A potentially significant 
capital investment would be required to convert it from its 
current storage medium. 
 
United States' manufacturers, technical experts from the DOE 
Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), and a Department 
of Energy Office of Isotope Sales manager have had informal 
discussions with Canadian counter-parts. Canada has not been 
particularly interested in pursuing the interests of the 
commercial firms, but did indicate a willingness to consider 
responding to an expression of Government interest, 
especially if the extracted He-3 would be used to protect 
their Nation's and international interests.  DOE would like 
to bring a team to meet with their Canadian counterparts and 
appropriate host Government officials to determine whether a 
reliable supply of He-3 can be provided and, on behalf of the 
interagency group, to generally describe the shortage, the 
benefits from accessing the Canadian supply, and to provide 
information relative to the appropriate national security 
uses of the extracted He-3. The association of He-3 with 
Tritium may raise concerns regarding the host nation's 
nonproliferation policy and also the applicability of any 
export control policy concerns that may be brought up. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Post is requested to arrange a 
meeting with the appropriate GOC officials to discuss the 
items in paragraph 4 with senior USG officials, preferably 
between August 1-11 or 24-31, 2009. Additionally, Washington 
would appreciate an opportunity to have a pre-meeting with 
the appropriate Embassy staff, should that be desired, and is 
assuming that one or more of the Embassy staff would 
participate in the proposed meeting with GOC officials in 
August. 
 
¶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) REPORTING DEADLINE:  Washington requests that Post 
respond via front-channel cable no later than July 13, 2009. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Washington appreciates Post's assistance.  Contact 
Michael Curry (currymr@state.gov), 202-736-7692 in ISN/WMDT 
for additional information. 
CLINTON