News Release

 

TO: EDITORS, NEWS DIRECTORS

DATE: March 20, 2001

FOR: IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

Irvin Named to National Panel on Electric & Gas

PHOENIX - Commissioner Jim Irvin of the Arizona Corporation Commission has accepted an invitation by the Center for the Advancement of Energy Markets to participate in a national forum on the future of Local Distribution Companies (DISCOs) in the electric and natural gas industries. Electric and gas businesses are moving away from a vertically integrated monopoly structure toward one that facilitates competition and consumer choice. With this shift, state and federal agencies are responding to new challenges and previously unforeseen opportunities. The purpose of the "DISCO of the Future Forum" is to achieve the following objectives:
  • Examine and critique the traditional regulatory model for gas and electric distribution service.
  • Facilitate discussion that results in a new approach ? a new mode of cooperation and collaboration between public and private stakeholders.
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  • Produce a Final Report containing a number of national policy recommendations that will form the basis for revising old regulations, and when necessary, the promulgation of new regulations and standards.
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  • Conduct outreach and public education regarding these issues to decision-makers, the media and consumers.

    • The Forum is comprised of 50 national leaders representing a variety of interests including those of government, industry and consumers. Representatives from the White House and the National Governors Association will be participating in the Forum, which will play a critical role in developing consensus-based policy recommendations to the gas and electric distribution utilities.

    "I am pleased to participate in this national effort to address the challenges facing our nation, and the State of Arizona, as stable energy markets become increasingly important to the health of our national and local economies," stated Commissioner Irvin.

    For more information, please contact Commissioner Irvin's office at (602) 542-4143. Go to www.caem.org for additional information about the Center for the Advancement of Energy Markets.

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