Officials of key electricity trade groups question whetherDeputy Energy Secretary Elizabeth Moler has the political cloutneeded to be considered as a serious candidate by the White Houseto replace departing Energy Secretary Federico Pena.

Although uniquely qualified because of her extensive backgroundin energy, Moler has “one major flaw,” said Lynne Church, executivedirector of the Electric Power Supply Association. She’s “not in aposition to deliver a large bloc of votes for [Vice President AlGore] in 2000,” in the event he makes a run for president, shenoted at GasMart/Power ’98 yesterday.

The Clinton administration now confronts the dilemma of whetherto nominate someone who has strong energy credentials for the topjob at the Department of Energy (DOE), or someone who knows littleof energy but has strong political influence, she noted. If historyis any indication, the White House usually favors the latter.

Both Church and John Anderson of the Electricity ConsumersResource Council (ELCON) declined to say whether they thought Molerwould get the job.

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