EESI and the Sustainable Energy Coalition, with Representatives Sherwood Boehlert, James Greenwood, Frank Pallone and Henry Waxman, sponsored a Congressional briefing on electric industry restructuring. This is a topic that has received great attention in the Congress over the past two years. There are also upcoming hearings scheduled April 11th and 13th in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Various states already have take action on electric restructuring. What has become very clear is that decision making on what the new rules should be for the restructured electric industry is a complex thicket with many stakeholders. An important area for discussion is the environmental impact of restructuring, as well as the potential for a cleaner, more sustainable energy future through increased investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency. This briefing was designed to provide a solid background and understanding in these important areas.

The panel of experts discussed the following issues and include:

• Renewable Energy Industry Perspective: Randy Swisher, executive director, American Wind Energy Association, Washington, D.C.;



• Renewable Portfolio Standard: Steve Clemmer, senior energy analyst, Union of Concerned Scientists, Cambridge, Massachusetts;



• Emissions Controls: David Hawkins, senior attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council, Washington, D.C.;



• Energy Efficiency and System Benefit Trust: Richard Cowart, director, Regulatory Assistance Project, Montpelier, Vermont and Gardiner, Maine; and former chairman of the Vermont state utility commission.

This briefing is part of EESI's series in support of Earth Day 2000!