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Washington Update

Washington Update. Topics. Who We Are Our Approach in Washington Environmental Politics A Decade of Debate on Industry Structure Questions?. Who we are. Buzz Miller Ray Harry ( Environment ) Adam Lawrence ( Tax and Financial Policy / Senate D’s )

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Washington Update

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  1. Washington Update

  2. Topics • Who We Are • Our Approach in Washington • Environmental Politics • A Decade of Debate on Industry Structure • Questions?

  3. Who we are Buzz Miller Ray Harry (Environment) Adam Lawrence (Tax and Financial Policy/Senate D’s) Jim McCool (Telecom, HR/Core Delegation) John Pemberton (Environment/Senate R’s) Mike Riith (Nuclear, Hydro, Rail/House R’s) Jeanne Wolak (Industry Structure/House D’s) Todd Yelverton (FERC)

  4. What Do We Do? “Influence Public Policy” We educate and influence to achieve a favorable outcome for Southern Company.

  5. The Resources We Rely On Relationships Executives’ Commitment & Involvement Consultants Southern Company Washington, D.C. Office Credibility & Technical Support PACs and other resources

  6. Results! “Bush advisers had considered including mention of the [carbon caps] proposal in the president’s address to Congress last night, but a reference to it was dropped in response to a last minute lobbying effort….” - Washington Post, 2/28/01

  7. Results! “On March 29, new source review was added to the [Bush administration energy] task force’s agenda. ‘There was a real flurry of activity after the Southern Company e-mail to put N.S.R. on the energy policy agenda,’ said the person who participated in formulating the energy policy. ‘And it didn’t go away.’” - The New York Times, 4/13/02

  8. What Do We Stand For? Leadership Consistency Credibility

  9. The Political Dynamic 2000/2004 Presidential Elections: 2000: Bush wins electoral college vote, but loses popular vote 2004: Another close election expected Senate: 51 Republicans - 48 Democrats- 1 Independent 60 votes needed to pass any controversial legislation in the Senate • House: • 228 Republicans • 205 Democrats • 1 Independent • 1 Vacancy • 12 votes can make the difference between passage and failure of legislation in the House Moderates continue to play key role (Centrist Coalition, Blue Dogs and New Democrats)

  10. Key Issues • Energy Policy • Environmental • Nuclear • Tax • FERC

  11. Environmental Politics Lightning Rod Issues  Mercury Emissions  New Source Review

  12. Mercury Emissions • Administration proposal for reductions • Southern Company working to ensure practical implementation of new limits • Southern Company testimony at Senate EPW hearing June 2003 (video)

  13. News Coverage • Washington Post • Search “Mercury, Power plants” • 1993 - Current • Results: • 1993 – 2000  9 hits • 2001 – current  70 hits

  14. EPA Announces ‘Cap and Trade’ Plan to Cut Mercury Pollution; Agency Bowed to Utility Industry Pressure, Critics Charge: Washington Post, Dec. 16, 2003

  15. EPA Chief Leavitt Sticks to New Air-Quality Rules Relaxing Mercury Standards: Salt Lake Tribune, Apr. 5, 2004

  16. The Mercury Scandal New York Times, Apr. 7, 2004

  17. Mercury Wars New York Times, Apr. 15, 2004

  18. Kerry Push, Unlike Gore’s, Will Attack on Environment New York Times, Apr. 21, 2004

  19. E.P.A. Will Not Withdraw Its Mercury Plan New York Times, Apr. 30, 2004

  20. EPA to Delay Power Plant Mercury Controls Washington Post, Apr. 29, 2004

  21. Fair and balanced? “The Bush administration’s ploy would allow coal-fired power plants to put more mercury into the air…”

  22. New Source Review • ERCC Coalition • Sought changes to clarify rule application • Administration proposal under attack

  23. A Decade of Industry Structure and Markets Debate • New visions of markets following 1992 EPACT • First was the aggressive push for full retail competition, led by Enron • Debate shifted to wholesale competition and transmission control (video)

  24. The Continuation of a New Vision “While Enron may be a goner, the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that characterized this company remain”, he continued, predicting that “that new breed of energy company, in fact, is going to be the only game in town five years from now.” Pat Wood FERC Chairman Inside FERC

  25. Summary “We do what is right and we are straightforward with our publics. This is how we live, and it is the rule, not the exception.” Allen Franklin

  26. What can you do? • Understand the issues – talk to your neighbors and communities • Vote • Support the PAC

  27. Questions?

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