December 10, 1981

THE EPRI ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Electric Power Research Institute

EPRI was conceived in 1972 and started in 1973 following a study
by the electric utility industry of its needs and the recommenda-
tion that such an institute be established, and as an alternate
to a Senate proposal that the government tax electricity to fund
a federally-managed R&D program. At the present time, the
Institute has 650 industry sponsors representing about 70% of

the generating capacity in the country. In 1982 the program

Support is at a level of $270 million.

The Institute now has six technical divisions: Electrical
Systems, Nuclear Power, Advanced Power Systems, Coal Combustion
Systems, Energy Management and Utilization, and Energy Analysis
and Environment. In addition, the Institute has an Energy Study
Center and manages a number of programs for separately~financed
owners groups. These groups have sponsored R&D to address
special topics such as steam generator corrosion, pipe cracking,
and nuclear safety analaysis. The Institute has established a
number of nationally distributed, contractor-operated, test
centers for underground transmission equipment, high voltage
overhead equipment, transmission towers, a nondestructive
evaluation center, a test facility for stack gas particulate

cleanup, and a battery test facility.

The programs at EPRI have been planned in consideration of, and

in cooperation with, the programs of government agencies. To
the extent possible, the programs have also been coordinated
with those of U.S. industry and foreign organizations. Program
detail and priorities are reviewed periodically with 450
representatives of industry who are members of task forces,
division committees, and the Research Advisory Committee.
Significant comment on the overall direction of the R&D program

has been provided by the Advisory Council.

Policies of the Institute

The thrust of the Institute's activities is to undertake R&D

on new and better ways to generate, transport, and use electric
power. The initial focus was on longer-term research efforts.
Over the years this emphasis has shifted in a major way to
nearer-term technical issues which respond to current national
priorities. The Institute does not engage in policy studies

of the financial, management, or institutional aspects of the

electric utility industry.

In terms of external communications, the primary focus has been
to provide technical informaion in a variety of appropriate
forms to EPRI member utilities. Technical information is also
routinely provided to professional audiences and the utility
trade associations, staffs of public utility commissions, and
government agencies. EPRI technical information is available
to the public upon request, and is also available to the
national energy press. While EPRI provides materials and
services to inform the public of the state of technology

resulting from its work, it primarily relies on its member
utilities to carry out local public information programs

relating to utility related technologies.

Finally, in terms of operations, the policy of the Institute
has been to contract for research and development with outside
organizations in order to: draw on the expertise available
nationally; ensure that results of the R&D will be in the hands
of organizations interested in bringing those results to a
commercial conclusion, make use of existing R&D facilities;
and, provide the maximum degree of flexibility in being able
to adjust the research program to evolving utility and rate-

payer requirements.

Concept of the Advisory Council

In recognition of the fact that the industry committees might
not provide an adequate insight to the priorities of the general
public, the organizers of EPRI decided that an Advisory Council
of distinguished citizens, representing a broad spectrum of the
society, should be created to provide guidance on the relation
of EPRI goals and priorities to the overall public interest. An
important inclusion in the Council membership was the group of
seven utility commissioners appointed by NARUC* who, in repre-
senting the interests of the ratepayers, could provide an
essential input to program discussions. The remaining members

of the 25-person Council were drawn from various sectors of

 

*NARUC: National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissions
=~4—

society, but representing those with both knowledge pertinent

to the electric utility industry and a sincere interest in
helping the industry serve the public. The Council, as an
advisory group appointed by the Board of Directors, was

expected to provide a commentary on the Institute's activities
to the president and the Board. It was expected that the
Council discussions would embody a diversity of opinion that
could provide broad insight into the complexities of a particular
problem. The Council was not expected to seek a consensus on
views or to serve as a vehicle for resolving conflicts between
groups for or against the various activities and policies of

the electric utility industry. At the same time, it was
recognized that EPRI's programs would be influenced by political,
economic, and social trends and because R&D is, by its nature,

a long-term activity, the Council could provide valuable advice

on these trends.

Specific Tasks for the Advisory Council

1. To review EPRI programs for relevancy and balance in terms
of the public interest and in meeting national goals.

2. To advise EPRI on perceived trends in political, economic,
and social affairs which impinge on the electric utilities and
which, consequently, should be considered in setting EPRI
program activities.

3. To provide the NARUC members of the Council, through a
review of EPRI programs and policies, with opportunities to
inform the staff on regulatory views of the interest of the

ratepayers.
4. To undertake or guide appropriate studies at the request

of the Board of Directors or the president.

Staff Support for the Advisory Council

EPRI's Information Services Group provides the support staff

for the Council's activities: Mr. Richard L. Rudman, director
of the Group, is the senior management staff contact for
Advisory Council affairs; Dr. Robert Loftness, director of
EPRI's Washington Office, serves as secretary to the Council;
and, Dr. Jay Kopelman, Mr. Rudman's staff assistant, coordinates
and supports the activities of the Council's various sub-

committees and issue groups.