
Date: Tue, 29 May 2001 01:59:00 -0700 (PDT)
From: lisa.yoho@enron.com
To: richard.shapiro@enron.com
Subject: STB Chair
Cc: steven.kean@enron.com, 
Bcc: steven.kean@enron.com, 

Rick:   As Chris mentioned, we spoke to Oliver last week about the STB
position.   I had also talked to him a few weeks ago about the same.    In
addition, I've had several conversations with Joe Bill Watkins, an attorney
in Austin who is working with the Greater Houston Community to find an
"independent thinker" for this job.

I recommend that we support Oliver Pennington.   It's clear from our
conversations that he doesn't know much about the rail industry (he was
inquiring about the difference between the STB's and the FRA's role in
regulating the industry), but he appears to be -- and from all accounts,
would be-- a fair-minded regulator.   He said he wants to "make a
difference", and would not be afraid to shake things up to make that
happen.

As Chris suggests, we should not support the names being floated in the
industry.   Bratten is a railroad sympathizer in shippers' clothing.    While
Alice Turnquist is a good friend of Susan Lent (our lobbyist from Akin Gump),
she is very close to Union Pacific.   Of all the rails, UP is the most
resistant to change, and has a very well organized, very effective government
affairs team in Washington.

Besides Linda Morgan's spot, there is a second spot that will be open when
Clyburn departs (his term has already expired).  I would also recommend that
we interview Mark Palmer's friend (I cannot recall her  name) for this
position.   She has excellent transportation experience, lives in Washington,
and may be willing to step out to make much-needed changes to the
industry.    We tried to reach her last week, but she was out of town for the
holiday weekend.   I will follow up with Mark on this.

Best regards,
Lisa
