The Electric Power Research Institute

The Electric Power Research Institute, now 10 years old, was formed by the electric utility industry in response to the threat of federal legislation to create a government agency, funded by a 1 percent tax on utility gross revenue, to undertake research and development. Legislation was proposed in the early 1970's by the Senate Commerce Committee as a result of the massive 1965 Northeast blackout and subsequent public criticism. In March 1972, the Senate was persuaded to give the electric utility industry 1 year to establish an industry-managed and supported substitute to the proposal. This article describes the subsequent history and the program today.