GEORGE J. STERZINGER
EER CONSULTING/ADVANCED RENEWABLES
1400 16th St. NW, Suite 715
Washington, D.C. 20036
Positions and Experience
Principal in Washington, D.C. regulatory policy, energy planning and economics firm specializing in the commercialization of energy/environmental technologies. Major projects:
Initial Business Plan for solar manufacturing and marketing projects with Spire Corporation. The initial project was in cooperation with Nevada Power. Spire used this plan for project development proposals in at least four other states.
Integrated project framework for off-gird electrification in areas with recent privatization. This framework is in use in two states in Brazil and is under consideration for use in South Africa. Currently negotiating the final terms for the implementation of the Business Plan with a major Brazilian utility to undertake an initial five year project to electrify 27,000 households.
Negotiated on behalf of the Corporation for Solar Technologies and Renewable resources with ENRON for the terms of a Purchased Power Agreement to develop 10MW of grid connected solar in Nevada. Also wrote the Request for Proposals and managed the technical review of responses that led to the ENRON selection as project developer.
Developed a cooperative agreement with Houston Industries and ENOVA Corp. to reserve a portion of step-up transformation for solar and renewable projects at their 340 MW gas fired combined cycle plant.
Worked with Patagonia Corporation for the sale of credits under legislatively mandated portfolio standards to reduce the cost of PV installations at their corporate facilities.
Negotiated gas contracts and bio-mass gasifier utilization at Independent Power Project owned and managed by GE Capital.
Negotiated a Development Agreement with Future Energy Resources Corporation for village-size gasification-electric generation projects. Primary project partner in development proposal was Bechtel Corp
Negotiated on behalf of energy projects and technology development companies in India, Italy, Brazil, and South Africa in addition to the United States..
Commissioner, Vermont Department of Public Service: Served as Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Public Service where he managed a technical staff of 55 people, directed all federal and state regulatory intervention, and managed a power purchasing authority that bought and resold power form Canadian provinces and utilities in the eastern United States. Major projects included:
Preparation of the first State of Vermont Comprehensive Energy Plan, an analysis of all forms of energy use, the environmental consequences of that usage, and a set of policies that would obtain ambitious environmental targets while assuring energy affordability. The New York Times called this plan _A sweeping attack on global warming, acid rain, and dependence of foreign fuels ... The energy plan, which experts said was unprecedented in scope, seeks to extend a strategy now bearing fruit in the field of electric utilities to all forms of energy use, from transportation to home heating to industrial fuel consumption._ (New York Times, Vermont_s Broad New Plan on Energy, January 11, 1991).
As staff representative to Chair of the National Governor_s Association Energy and Environmental Committee, produced a national energy plan, based on least cost planning principles, endorsed by all Governors.
Areas of Expertise
Energy Commercialization: Experience in solar, biomass and hydro technology development. Responsible for several domestic policy initiatives in renewable technology commercialization. Official business delegate on USDOE Sustainable Development Mission to India. Currently working to integrate domestic commercialization with export market opportunities and in the eco-toruism industry.
Solar: Work as a consultant for Winrock International, on the initial business plan for Solar Home System off-grid electrification program in Brazil. Primary consultant to DOE to assess the commercial potential for solar energy development at the Nuclear Test Site Facility in Nevada which led to the formation of the Corporation for Solar Technology and Renewable Resources (CSTRR). For CSTRR, prepared the RFP for up to 100 MW_s of solar electricity, and managed the evaluation of proposals.
Biomass: Evaluated and proposed joint venture to DOE to commercialize FERCO indirect gasification technology for integration with gas turbines, fuel cells and other potential price movers. This project is permitted, constructed, and undergoing operating tests. The analysis served as the basis for the first DOE biomass commercialization programs. Official delegate on US-India trade mission of 1994 representing FERCO. Negotiated MOU with THERMAX Corp., a major Indian manufacturer, to co-develop technology in India. Initial U.S. commercial effort is permitted and under construction. Article describing project and rationale for effort published by Technology Review of MIT.
Project Development: Managed several major Requests for Proposals for traditional and renewable generation projects. Have worked in a variety of independent power project efforts. Assisted GE Capital in the evaluation of conversion/investment strategies for a natural gas turbine generator in Milford, New Jersey. Currently working on economic evaluations of waste-to-energy and multi-fueled projects for the U.S. and international markets.
Regulatory Economics: Presented legislative and regulatory testimony and economic analysis covering electric, natural gas, telecommunications and water industries in 30 states. As Commissioner in Vermont, had responsibility for state position in all contested hearings. Articles on electric distribution system cost allocation cited in Bonbright_s Principles of Regulation.
1992-Present Principal, EER Consulting/Advanced Renewables
1992 Tellus Research Institute, Washington Representative
1988-1991 Commissioner, Vermont Department of Public Service
1980-1988 Economist, National Consumer Law Center
1978-1980 Director, New England Regional Energy Project
1976-1978 Economist, New England Regional Energy Project
Education
PhD Candidate, Mathematical Economics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, 1964-68
BS Economics, with Honors, St. Joseph College, Rennselaer, Indiana, 1960-63
Major Publications
_Making Biomass Energy a Contender,: Technology Review, MIT, October 1995 (Translated for the Italian Edition)
_More Power to PURPA,_ Wall Street Journal, June 7, 1995
_A New Role for Renewables and Energy Efficiency in the World Bank Power Sector_ (with Julio De Castro), DOE and Dutch Government Project Appraisal of World Bank Program in Asia, 1995
_Policies to Enhance Renewable Energy Development,_ Presented to Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Supplies, Government of India, Agra, India, January 1995
_Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle: Biomass Joint Venture Evaluation,_ National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL/TP-430-6080), May 1994
_Nevada Test Site Solar Feasibility Study_ (with Dyn Corp Meridien), for Department of Energy, September 1994
_First Generation Nuclear Retirement,_ New York Times, June 2, 1991
_The _Peaker_ Methodology for Finding the Marginal Costs of Electricity,_ Public Utility Fortnightly, September 29, 1983
_The Customer Charge and Some Programs of Double Allocation of Distribution Systems Costs,_ Public Utility Fortnightly, July 1981
Honors
Who_s Who in Energy 1990-1991
Chairman, Vermont State Nuclear Advisory Committee, 1988-1991
Chairman, Governor_s Committee on Unregulated Fuel Price Increases, 1990-1991
Chairman, Governor_s Committee on Energy Planning, 1990-1991
References
Available upon request.
