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EPSA's "State of the Energy Industry"

"Competitive power suppliers are leading the way toward a lower carbon future, while helping to empower consumers and continuing to advance innovation."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - John E. Shelk, president and CEO of the Electric Power Supply Association (EPSA) today will discuss the important role of competitive suppliers in meeting the nation's future electricity needs. Shelk will speak on a panel on climate change and legislative and regulatory issues during the United States Energy Associations 4th Annual State of the Energy Industry conference at the National Press Club. His remarks will be based on the following statement:

"The competitive power sector is stronger than ever. Competitive power suppliers are leading the way toward a lower carbon future, while helping to empower consumers and continuing to advance innovation. Competitive suppliers filed the first applications for a new nuclear power plant in a generation. They are strongly invested in renewable energy, pursuing clean coal technology, and remain the leaders in more efficient gas-fired electricity. EPSA supports demand response, which is facilitated by transparent and open markets. Company financial ratings are improving. New non-utility generation edged back ahead of utility generation in 2007, with projections for this trend to deepen in coming years.

"There is a lot to accomplish and the time to accelerate those efforts is now. The cost of fuel, construction, environmental compliance, and other inputs continue to rise. Investment is enhanced by regulatory certainty and predictability. This requires enactment of federal climate legislation that is national and rational; clear and consistent rules of the road from FERC and state regulators; and affirmation from the U.S. Supreme Court of the integrity of contracts in a major case to be decided this year.

"Consumers will benefit most from an honest dialogue and realistic assessments of economic fundamentals, not finger pointing. EPSA welcomes planned hearings in Congress on electricity that will cover all regions and will be thoughtful, balanced and oriented toward the future with an emphasis on workable solutions.

"EPSA believes a fair examination of competitive wholesale markets will show that while improvements can and should be made, competitive markets are the best path to achieving environmental goals, more efficient use of existing resources, additional new supply and the overall best deal for consumers, given the realities of increased costs and higher demand. We are confident the competitive power sector will play an even greater role in the future."

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CONTACT: JOHN SHELK
(202) 349-0154or 703-472-8660

EPSA is the national trade association representing competitive power suppliers, including generators and marketers. These suppliers, who account for nearly 40 percent of the installed generating capacity in the United States, provide reliable and competitively priced electricity from environmentally responsible facilities serving global power markets. EPSA seeks to bring the benefits of competition to all power customers.