DC: Trade groups change leaders on K Street

The Hill ^ | 11/14/08 | Kevin Bogardus

[NormsRevenge]

Three major trade associations announced a changeover in leadership Friday as Washington prepares for a new administration and a Congress with extended Democratic majorities in both houses.

Frank Bowman resigned as president and chief executive officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute. Bowman was selected as the leader of NEI in August 2004.

“After much deliberation about the right course of leadership for our industry and the Nuclear Energy Institute during this period of dramatic change in Congress and the White House, I am resigning as president and chief executive officer at the Nuclear Energy Institute,” Bowman wrote in his resignation letter.

Nuclear energy can expect a tougher road under President-elect Barack Obama’s administration. While saying he was in favor of nuclear power, the Illinois Democrat said he opposed plans to store its radioactive waste in Yucca Mountain, Nev., which is favored by the industry.

Martin Fertel, NEI’s executive vice president and chief nuclear officer, will lead the trade association during the transition period.

NEI was not the only trade group to announce a leadership change Friday. Marc Racicot, once a Republican governor of Montana, is set to leave his position as president and chief executive officer of the American Insurance Association (AIA) in February 2009.

Leigh Ann Pusey, AIA’s chief operating officer and senior vice president for government affairs, will take over the trade group. At AIA since 1996, Pusey previously worked as an aide to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and the Republican National Committee.

Denise Bode is also taking over the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) as its new chief executive officer in January 2009. AWEA’s former head, Randall Swisher, is retiring after 19 years with the trade group.

Bode is currently the head of the American Clean Skies Foundation. She previously was president of the Independent Petroleum Association of America and an aide to former Sen. David Boren (D-Okla.).

Renewable energy will be very much on the agenda next year. On the campaign trail, Obama talked about a $150 billion proposal to boost green energy in America and reduce pollution.

[NormsRevenge]

just think of it as a ‘re-tooling’..

[factoryrat]

“Nuclear energy can expect a tougher road under President-elect Barack Obama’s administration. While saying he was in favor of nuclear power, the Illinois Democrat said he opposed plans to store its radioactive waste in Yucca Mountain, Nev., which is favored by the industry”.

No....

The Nuclear power industry wants to re-process spent fuel, and build reactors that would burn off high level waste and produce new fuel. Look up John McCain’s Project Lexington. I work in the Nuclear industry, this would have been a boon for cheap electricity and enviromental stewardship. Now we’re in panic mode.