Councilman Heyeck Named to Department of Energy Electric Advisory Committee

Date: 04/24/2008
Number of Views: 143

Westerville (Ohio) Councilman Mike Heyeck was named to the newly established Electric Advisory Committee for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).  Heyeck is Senior Vice President of Transmission for American Electric Power.

The 30 inaugural members will serve one- or two-year terms and include some of the nation’s top public and private sector leaders in electricity policy, planning and operations. The Committee was established to provide counsel to the Department on long-range planning and priorities for the modernization of the Nation’s electricity delivery infrastructure.

"To meet our nation’s growing energy needs, we must continue to integrate emerging technologies and implement bold policies that ensure clean, affordable and reliable supplies of electricity to the American people," DOE Assistant Secretary for Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability Kevin Kolevar said. " The Department will benefit greatly from the advice and counsel we will receive from this diverse and talented group of individuals. The Committee’s guidance and support are welcome as we make critical decisions on strategically important electricity related issues."

The Committee—chartered by DOE Secretary Bodman last month— will provide senior-level counsel to DOE’s Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability in carrying out its mission and meeting requirements of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. In addition, the Committee will advise the Office on deployment of smart grid technologies, research and development of energy storage technologies, renewable energy resource system integration, and new transmission infrastructure to ensure the efficient delivery of electricity.

Linda Stuntz, who served as Deputy Secretary of Energy from 1992-1993 and held other senior positions in DOE from 1989-1992, will chair the Committee. The Committee will hold its first meeting on May 20, 2008 in Arlington, VA and will meet at least annually thereafter. The Committee may choose to hold additional meetings and may appoint subcommittees to undertake certain projects as needed. The Electricity Advisory Committee is compliant with the 1972 Federal Advisory Committee Act.