Washington Washington UpdateUpdate

Topics

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

Who we are

Buzz MillerRay 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)

What Do We Do?

“Influence Public Policy”

We educate and influence to achieve a favorable outcome for Southern Company.

Relationships

Southern CompanyWashington, D.C. Office

PACsand other resources

Executives’Commitment &

Involvement

The Resources We Rely On

Credibility&

Technical Support

Consultants

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

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

What Do We Stand For?

Leadership

Consistency

Credibility

The Political Dynamic2000/2004 Presidential Elections:2000: Bush wins electoral college vote, but loses popular vote2004: Another close election expected

Senate:51 Republicans - 48 Democrats- 1 Independent60 votes needed to pass any controversial legislation in the Senate

House:228 Republicans205 Democrats1 Independent1 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)

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

Environmental Politics

Lightning Rod Issues

Mercury Emissions

New Source Review

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)

News Coverage Washington Post

– Search “Mercury, Power plants”– 1993 - Current

Results:

1993 – 2000 9 hits

2001 – current 70 hits

EPA Announces ‘Cap and Trade’ Plan to Cut Mercury Pollution; Agency Bowed to Utility Industry Pressure, Critics Charge:

Washington Post, Dec. 16, 2003

EPA Chief Leavitt Sticks to New Air-Quality Rules Relaxing Mercury Standards:

Salt Lake Tribune, Apr. 5, 2004

The Mercury Scandal

New York Times, Apr. 7, 2004

Mercury Wars

New York Times, Apr. 15, 2004

Kerry Push, Unlike Gore’s, Will Attack on Environment

New York Times, Apr. 21, 2004

E.P.A. Will Not Withdraw Its Mercury Plan

New York Times, Apr. 30, 2004

EPA to Delay Power Plant Mercury Controls

Washington Post, Apr. 29, 2004

Fair and balanced?

“The Bush administration’s ploy would allow coal-fired power plants to put more mercury into the air…”

New Source Review

ERCC Coalition– Sought changes to clarify rule

application

Administration proposal under attack

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)

“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 WoodFERC ChairmanInside FERC

The Continuation of a New Vision

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

What can you do?

Understand the issues – talk to your neighbors and communities

Vote

Support the PAC

Questions?