WASHINGTON D.C. - Wayne H. Brunetti, the chairman and chief executive officer of Xcel Energy, will deliver his first major policy speech since being selected chairman of the Edison Electric Institute next week in Washington. Potential topics include electricity competition, reliability, the changing nature of capital markets, environmental issues, and the delivery of broadband Internet over power lines. The Brunetti event, which will include questions from a panel of experts, takes place Thursday, July 22, at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center (Rotunda Room) from 12 - 2 pm. It is the latest in The Progress & Freedom Foundation's series of CEO Lunches.

Xcel Energy Inc. is one of the largest combination electricity and natural gas energy companies in the nation, offering energy-related products and services to approximately 5 million customers. Its annual revenue is approximately $8 billion. Prior to the 2000 merger that created Xcel Energy, Brunetti served as chairman, president and CEO of Public Service Company of Colorado, Southwestern Public Service Co. and Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power Co.

The Reagan Center is located at 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, in Washington. Lunch is served at noon, and the program begins at 12:30 pm. Previous series speakers have included Richard Notebaert of Qwest, Charles Ergen of Echostar, Jeffrey Citron of Vonage and Ivan Seidenberg of Verizon.

Those interested in attending should register online. Media questions should be directed to David Fish at 202-775-2644 or dfish@brodeur.org. Others should contact Eileen Goulding at 202-289-8928 or egoulding@pff.org.

"From both business and policy standpoints, Wayne Brunetti understands the trends shaping the industry," says PFF Senior Fellow and VP of Research Thomas M. Lenard. "As chairman of the Edison Electric Institute, he will have some interesting insights on the many front-burner issues facing the energy industry in Washington."

The Progress & Freedom Foundation is a market-oriented think tank that studies the digital revolution and its implications for public policy. It is a 501(c)(3) research & educational organization.