Originally posted at RTO Insider
A nonpartisan think tank dedicated to improving energy policy at the state and federal levels called the Lighthouse Energy Institute (LEI) is launching Sept. 16.
“There was a recognition from a lot of stakeholders that energy policy, especially electricity, needed a lot more coverage in the state domain in particular — all things state legislative and regulatory, and then in the federal executive branch,” LEI President and co-founder Devin Hartman said in an interview. “Independent think tanks just didn’t have that much reach into those domains, and that’s where most of the of electricity policy actually gets made.”
The think tank will do some work around Congress, mostly around permitting, but Hartman said most electricity policy is handled by the executive branch and the states.
LEI was founded by three energy policy experts who previously were at the R Street Institute, with Kent Chandler (the former chair of the Kentucky Public Service Commission) and Philip Rossetti alongside Hartman. LEI’s initial policy teams include other former R Streeters, including Beth Garza and Michael Giberson, who will be nonresident senior fellows.
The new think tank’s mission is to provide information that improves the quality of energy and environmental institutions and policies through robust research and education. Hartman said it will not take sides politically, but its work is guided by three principles: competitive markets, limited government and quality institutions.
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