[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 52 (Thursday, March 29, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2237-S2238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOHN W. ROWE

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to John 
Rowe, an individual whose keen intellect and indefatigable work ethic 
have transformed him into one of the country's most respected voices in 
the energy industry--and one that I have relied on throughout my 
congressional career as a source for honest analysis of public policy 
relating to climate change and energy markets.
  Earlier this month, John spent his first day of retirement teaching 
students at a charter school that he financed and founded in Chicago--
an action which embodies a career that has prioritized responsibility, 
competition, and above all, a commitment to embracing challenges. 
Indeed, John not only leaves Exelon a stronger company, but he 
bequeaths a legacy of vision and innovation to the utility sector that 
will truly reverberate for generations to come. It has often been noted 
that John holds the distinction of being the longest serving utility 
executive in the United States, which is also a remarkable reflection 
of the degree to which he is considered a preeminent and trusted voice 
on a range of issues from national climate policies to transmission and 
environmental regulations.
  To think that it all began in Maine. In reflecting upon the origins 
of his career, John described to the New York Times last summer that he 
was told he could either try to become a CEO through a long and arduous 
climb up the corporate ladder, or he could ``go to some fairly small 
company that is in really big trouble and is willing to take a lot of 
risk.'' And the rest, as they say, is history--to the everlasting 
benefit of the energy industry.

[[Page S2238]]

  John, who had virtually no experience in the energy sector, moved to 
Maine and joined Central Maine Power, or CMP, as CEO in 1984--as the 
company was confronting unparalleled challenges. It was also after he 
came to CMP that my husband, the former Governor of Maine Jock 
McKernan, and I first met John.
  In Maine, John quickly demonstrated exceptional business acumen and 
quickly altered the discussion in Maine from one of confrontation to 
one of collaboration that involved regulators and the rest of the 
business community. He carried that experience forward to New England 
Electric Systems where he became a forceful voice for deregulation of 
the electricity markets in the 1990s. Always a strong proponent of 
increasing competitiveness in the electricity market, John realized 
that the electricity industry was on course toward a new paradigm when 
he remarked to the Bangor Daily News in 1995, ``We're on a route to 
increasing competition, and that is unlikely to be turned around.''
  John steadfastly maintained that ideology throughout the rest of his 
career, and while he left Maine and New England for his work at Exelon 
and its predecessor, Unicom, he indisputably continued to influence 
public policy throughout the country--garnering him numerous industry 
accolades, including Edison Electric Institute's Distinguished 
Leadership Award, the Keystone Center Leadership in Industry Award, 
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Burnham Award for Business and Civic 
Leadership, as well as an induction to the Chicago Business Hall of 
Fame. But most invaluable to the Nation has been his ever-steady and 
thoughtful commentary on the development of sensible policies that 
would reduce greenhouse gas emissions while providing certainty for 
business investments.
  Rather than challenging regulations, John has led the effort to 
replace antiquated Clean Air Act rules with market-based solutions that 
provide environmental dividends at a reduced cost to industry and 
consumers. Specifically, as cochair of the National Commission on 
Energy Policy, he developed the report, ``Ending the Energy 
Stalemate,'' which called for increasing and reforming fuel economy 
standards, addressing climate change through a mandatory market-based 
trading program, and increasing the development and distribution of 
energy-efficient products.
  Specifically, the report stated that, ``improving passenger vehicle 
fuel economy is by far the most significant oil demand reduction 
measure proposed by the Commission.'' As a coauthor of the ``Ten-in-
Ten'' Fuel Economy Title of the 2007 Energy Independence and Security 
Act, I took these recommendations to heart, and with Senator Feinstein, 
embarked on an initiative to achieve historic fuel economy standards 
based upon this law--which, given the increasing prices for gasoline, 
could not be more imperative.
  However, John's true expertise, starting with his initial effort to 
stop the campaign to close a nuclear plant in Maine, focuses on 
developing a regulatory environment that provides safe nuclear power to 
consumers. As the operator of the largest nuclear fleet in the United 
States, John has meticulously worked to address the current challenges 
confronting additional nuclear power in the United States, while also 
preemptively positioning the industry for unanticipated impediments. 
The American nuclear power fleet is the safest in the world in part 
because of his unparalleled contributions.
  At a time when trust of institutions, companies, and public 
policymakers has eroded, it is difficult to lose John's voice as a head 
of one of the most influential companies in the United States. John has 
always demonstrated a trust with his colleagues as well as 
policymakers, and I look forward to watching his continued 
contributions following his retirement as chief executive officer of 
Exelon.
  I wish John and his wife, Jeanne, the very best in the next chapter 
of their lives, and I look forward to continuing to work with an 
individual who believes in cost-effective development of clean energy 
in the United States, is champion of competition, and is committed to 
responsibility throughout society.

                          ____________________