Turf Battles and Policy Gridlock Continue to Plague Strategic Planning Efforts at Power Companies

There is nothing that paralyzes industry more than uncertainty on impending legislation and regulatory policy. We now face a Democratic administration struggling with a Republican House of Representatives. Looming carbon legislation, as well as new regulations on air emissions, power plant water effluents, and renewable portfolio standards have already resulted in courtroom battles as stakeholders, federal and state regulators all jockey for control. Until these issues are sorted out through policy or mandate, power-industry investment decisions are a risky business and a tremendous challenge for today's utilities.

With Washington under siege for years to come as a result of our nation's chronic federal deficit, the profound change needed in our energy sector is not likely to be nurtured top-down by federal largesse. Rather, the future will belong to grassroots entrepreneurs who will come up with the technology to totally transform how we put the glow into our bulbs and the song into our iPods.

So who will have the power over power in the next five years?

That's a good question. And one that will be addressed at the 2011 EnergyBiz Leadership Forum.

What promises to be the climax of the conference, two panels of Washington insiders will attempt to put the issues into perspective, determine who will control jurisdiction, and offer best predictions on how regulations will fare in the political landscape the industry over the next five years. On the first panel, entitled "Turf Battles and Energy Policy – Getting the Rules Right," you'll hear from Rep. Devin Nunes of California, Tony Clark – chairman of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, and Robert Brenner - director of the Office of Policy Analysis and Review, Office of Air and Radiation, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

On a second panel, entitled "Policy Gridlock in Washington – The Obama administration and a Republican House," some of the energy industry's most influential association leaders will speak, including: Lonnie Carter, president & CEO, Santee Cooper and chair, APPA; Craig Goodman, president, National Energy Marketers Association; Jason Grumet, president, Bipartisan Policy Center; Julia Hamm, president, Solar Electric Power Association; Tom Kuhn, president, Edison Electric Institute; and Barry Worthington, executive director, United States Energy Association.

These panels offer collective thought leadership on the progress and impact of future energy regulation that will not be duplicated at any other energy conference in 2011. In addition to these superb panelists, Session Four will also feature a CEO Roundtable that will include such industry giants as: Michael Morris, president & CEO, AEP; Lewis Hay III, chairman & CEO, NextEra Energy; Tom Fanning, chairman, president & CEO, Southern Company; and Tom Farrell II, chairman, president & CEO, Dominion.

Simply put: this is one conference you cannot afford to miss. I urge you to register today.

EnergyBiz Leadership Forum is the industry's most comprehensive and strategic conference, bringing together influential leaders in energy, government, and media. The Forum offers in-depth, realistic perspectives on energy industry issues that impact utility investment strategies and performance. For complete program and registration details visit www.EnergyBizForum.com.

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