The Bass Bill the path to passage

1
The Bass Bill the path to passage

• Bill Introduced
• Folded into Energy Bill
• Passage of Energy Bill authorizes program in FY06
• FY07 seek appropriations to fund the Bass Bill
• House and Senate appropriations process starts
  in House, moves to Senate
• Funding must be in one bill or the other to be
  part of final negotiation
• Appropriators have power to influence final
  implementation of Bass Bill
• FY07 budget constraints are not encouraging,
  however
• President is making this a priority (State of the
  Union address)
• Congress is buying into this
• Meeting with Secretary Bodman introduced issues
• New Asst. Secretary for Renewable Energy
  Alexander Karsner on board soon (awaiting
  confirmation)

2
The Bass Bill We Need to be Flexible Moving
Forward

• If less than full appropriations, must be open to
  possible changes
• Limit funding (reduce rebate) on pellet stoves
• Focus on central heating technology has better
  chance getting passed given growth in pellet
  stove sales without government assistance
• This will benefit entire industry
• Possibility that same goals can be met through
  tax credit legislation that may be introduced
  this session

3
PFI Action Plan for Success

• Document and verify impact this industry can
  make on meeting the nations renewable energy and
  associated environmental goals
• Develop an effective Congressional outreach
  strategy
• Talking points/key messages
• Develop shortlist of key congressional contacts
• Build PFI capacity for outreach to these
  contacts members, associated businesses,
  in-house staff capability, contracted expertise
  (outsource)
• Develop strategy for effective Congressional
  communication, e.g. get members of Congress in
  your places of business!

4
Our meeting with Secretary of Energy Samuel
Bodman just the beginning of a successful
government relations strategy to benefit our
industry!