WASHINGTON D.C. - Wayne H. Brunetti, the chairman and CEO of Xcel Energy Inc., will deliver his first major policy speech as the new chair of the Edison Electric Institute this Thursday in Washington. Reliability, environmental protection and the remaking of electricity markets are among the topics to be addressed at the latest in a series of CEO Lunches sponsored by The Progress & Freedom Foundation. Following his comments, Brunetti will answer questions from a panel of industry analysts. The event takes place July 22 from 12 - 2 pm at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center (Rotunda Room).

Questioning Brunetti will be Andrew Smith, senior analyst and head of the Electric Utilities Equity Research Team at JPMorgan, Richard Hunter, managing director of Fitch Ratings Global Power Group, and James Lucier, senior vice president and analyst at Prudential Equity Group, LLC.

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.