The Honorable Maria Cantwell
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Cantwell:

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers-United States of America (IEEE-USA) sincerely appreciates your active role in seeking to foster a public dialogue on the benefits of electric industry restructuring. As an organization with many members who are deeply involved in and directly affected by the ongoing transition from a vertically integrated utility structure to competitive markets, the IEEE-USA would like to offer its substantial technological experience and expertise to help policymakers make informed decisions when formulating public policy affecting the nation’s electric utility industry.

Please find enclosed a position statement formulated by the IEEE-USA's Energy Policy Committee on Principles for a Restructured Electric Industry. Recognizing the diversity that currently exists among the nation's regional electricity systems, IEEE-USA believes policymakers considering decisions on electric industry restructuring should adhere to these fundamental principles to protect the public interest, and to maximize societal benefit. We look forward to working with you and other members of Congress on this important issue.

IEEE-USA is an organizational unit of the IEEE. It was created in 1973 to advance the public good and promote the careers and public-policy interests of the more than 225,000 technology professionals who are U.S. members of the IEEE. The IEEE is the world's largest technical professional society. For more information, go to http://www.ieeeusa.org.

Thank you for your attention. If you have any further questions, please contact Bill Williams, Legislative Representative, IEEE-USA Technology Policy Activities at 202-785-0017 ext. 8331.


Sincerely,


Richard Wakefield, Chair
IEEE-USA Energy Policy Committee

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