tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12808284.post2156314668442806573..comments2024-01-02T07:21:39.696-05:00Comments on Sleeping in the Mountains: Random? Hell No! Why "Vermont's Energy Future" Conference Made Me Feel Like A Rat In A CageTimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12346069501972114790noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12808284.post-57241481932963283892008-01-04T13:04:00.000-05:002008-01-04T13:04:00.000-05:00Hi, my name is David O'Brien, Commissioner of the ...Hi, my name is David O'Brien, Commissioner of the Department of Public Service. We embarked on the deliberative polling weekend as part of an ambitious public engagement process on VT's energy future. This project was developed in partnership with the VT Legislature, most notably Speaker of the House Symington who originally called me with the idea right before Christmas in 2005.<BR/><BR/>The Speaker's motivation for a dialog on energy was because of the expiration of major supply contracts in the next decade and the high level of interest in the Legislature. Also, to her credit she wanted to take the discussion out of the heat of politics in the statehouse.<BR/><BR/>There was no hidden agenda whatsoever. To the contrary we wanted the deliberative poll to be done so that we had the best access to average Vermonters, as opposed to those interest groups etc. that most often engage on the topic. To get this whole process right, especially the deliberative polling (paying honorariums, hotel rooms, meals etc) led to the large price tag.<BR/><BR/>The organization of the event was done by an advisory group of utility professionals, environmental groups and our department. The educational materials and the composition of the panels was the result of consensus by the bi-partisan advisory group.<BR/><BR/>I am sorry you may have felt like a lab rat in the process. I can see how it might have felt that way at times. I know for us it was one of the more gratifying experiences for a public servant. And the participants I got a chance to talk to seemed energized (excuse the pun) by the experience.<BR/><BR/>Hope that bit of background is helpful and thank you for participating.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com