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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 10 07 Proposal from The Seward Square Group Date: October 7, 2009 The attached document was referenced during the October 7, 2009 City Commission Workshop. THE SEWARD SQUARE GROUP PROPOSAL TO THE CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA FOR GOVERNMENT RELATIONS SERVICES October 7, 2009 Table of Contents SCOPE OF WORK 2 COST PROPOSAL 4 ABOUT SEWARD SQUARE GROUP 5 OUR TEAM 6 PRACTICE AREAS 10 LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS 10 APPROPRIATIONS ..10 TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE 13 ENERGY 15 STATE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS 16 Washington DC Office 517 Seward Square, SE Washington, DC 20003 Tel: 202 277 -0028 2 Florida Office 477 Luna Bella Lane New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 Fax: 202-312-0606 SCOPE OF WORK Based upon our understanding of the needs of the City of Winter Springs, we have devised a four -prong plan to achieve our legislative goals. Prong 1: Identify and pursue Federal Stimulus dollars available to the State of Florida. Funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (or Stimulus legislation) are still available. Less than 65% of the federal stimulus money has been spent. According to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Florida ranks 34th in states spending its stimulus dollars for transportation needs this is an improvement from its previous ranking in last place. This shift is in part due to Congressional pressure levied by Chairman Oberstar and Ranking Member Mica. Congressional pressure to obligate stimulus dollars, coupled with the City's current projects, create an opportunity for The City of Winter Springs to obtain federal funding for the new reclaimed water plant, police personnel and /or equipment and economic development efforts. Prong 2: Identify and pursue infrastructure funding available through the FY 2011 Appropriations process. Develop an aggressive strategy for pursuing funding opportunities in the FY 2011 Congressional Appropriations process. Identify the best candidates for federal funding and develop White Papers on each project request before the end of this year. Best candidates could include Civic Center expansion, City Hall expansion, new Police Storage Building, Stormwater improvements, Water System upgrades, Reclaimed Water plant. Build on preexisting relationships with key Members of Congress and staff. Key Members include: Kosmas, Mica, Nelson, Lemieux Arrange meetings with each of your Members of Congress, where a delegation of city officials would officially present these funding requests. Washington DC Office 517 Seward Square, SE Washington, DC 20003 Tel: 202 277 -0028 3 Florida Office 477 Luna Bella Lane New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 Fax: 202 312 -0606 Ensure that the City's funding requests remain high on the priority list throughout the appropriations process. Provide regular written updates on the status of the City's funding requests. Prong 3: Identify and pursue transportation funding opportunities available through the upcoming SAFETEA -LU Reauthorization. Monitor the SAFETEA -LU Reauthorization process and identify eligible transportation and infrastructure projects for SAFETEA -LU funding. Develop an aggressive timeline for pursuing funding opportunities under SAFETEA -LU. Actively engage city officials to identify high priority local and regional transportation and infrastructure projects that would be the best candidates for SAFETEA -LU funding. Build on preexisting relationships with key Members of Congress and staff. Key members include: Mica, Kosmas, Nelson, Lemieux Provide regular written updates on the status of the City's funding requests. Prong 4: Proactively pursue grant opportunities and partnerships for the City of Winter Springs. Develop an aggressive timeline for pursuing grant funds being obligated in the next three months. Identify potential sources of funding. Prepare briefing materials such as White Papers. Seek meetings with the appropriate officials to present the City's funding requests. Brief your Members of Congress and their staff about the importance of these projects to the City, enlist their help in identifying available funding, and request letters of support to the relevant federal agencies. Washington DC Office 517 Seward Square, SE Washington, DC 20003 Tel: 202 277 -0028 4 Florida Office 477 Luna Bella Lane New Smyma Beach, FL 32168 Fax: 202-312-0606 COST PROPOSAL TOTAL PROJECT ESTIMATE: $7,500.00 per month Based on the foregoing scope of work, The Seward Square Group proposes a flat monthly retainer amount of 57,500 payable in advance on the fifteenth of each month from October 15, 2009 until October 15, 2010. This proposed retainer amount is exclusive of travel expenses incurred on behalf of the City of Winter Springs. Reasonable care will be taken to minimize travel costs. Washington DC Office 517 Seward Square, SE Washington, DC 20003 Tel: 202 277 -0028 5 Florida Office 477 Luna Bella Lane New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 Fax: 202- 312 -0606 ABOUT SEWARD SQUARE GROUP Seward Square Group is a full- service agency with offices in Washington. DC and New Smyrna Beach, Florida Consisting of a partnership of experts with varied backgrounds. the firm counsels a broad range of domestic and international clients on government relations and public affairs with a special focus on appropriations issues Seward Square Group has recruited an outstanding team of bipartisan professionals, enabling us to meet all of our clients government and public affairs needs Devising a strategy that is unique to each client, we target key members of Congress and their staff to further each client's agenda. We have experience assisting clients with a wide variety of issues including. but not limited to: appropriations, energy, climate change legislation, homeland security, defense. education, labor, and transportation safety and funding. A bipartisan team of former government and communications professionals, Seward Square Group achieves results by taking a comprehensive approach to meeting client objectives. The firm's expertise in legislative affairs is unparalleled, providing clients invaluable assistance on Capitol Hill. We offer clients a full range of government relations services including strategic counsel and messaging, developing legislative priorities, monitoring legislative and regulatory developments and trends, and advocacy. Not only has Seward Square Group's staff worked on behalf of clients to build relationships with government officials and agencies, in North America and internationally, many on our team have experience serving in government positions at both the federal and state levels. The result is relationships with and knowledge of the key players, processes and rules associated with legislative and regulatory issues. In addition to providing high quality assistance for clients' legislative needs, we are also equipped to meet clients' needs in dealing with federal administrative agencies. Working with key contacts in the applicable regulatory bodies, we provide our clients with the access necessary to ensure executive agencies understand and respond to their needs. Washington DC Office 517 Seward Square, SE Washington, DC 20003 Tel: 202 277 -0028 6 Florida Office 477 Luna Bella Lane New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 Fax: 202-312-0606 MR. JAMES PERICOLA OUR TEAM James Pericola, founder of the Seward Square Group. brings to the firm more than fifteen years of public and private sector experience. Pericola has worked in Washington, D.C. at all levels of government, as political appointee, congressional staffer, private sector attorney. and public sector consultant. He has an extensive working knowledge of the interplay between Capitol Hill, the White House, federal agencies, state governments, private sector stakeholders, and public organizations. His broad area of practice has included public health and safety, economic regulation, environmental protection, transportation planning, and political action. Most recently, Pericola opened the Washington office of Holcim (US) Inc. With operations in over 70 countries, Holcim is one of the world's largest producers of cement and aggregates. As chief political strategist and Washington liaison. Pericola worked with the executive management to achieve active engagement with Congress and the Obama Administration on energy, climate and environmental policy. His efforts highlighted to lawmakers the unique nature of the cement industry as an energy intensive, trade exposed industry. He raised the profile of the company by arranging for executives to testify before Congress on numerous occasions. He developed an aggressive fundraising and PAC plan to further enhance corporate visibility. Prior to joining Holcim, Pericola and his long -time friend and mentor, Jim Hall, established Hall Associates, LLC, a full service consulting firm. Pericola assisted clients with a variety of congressional appropriations matters, complex 9/11 reinsurance litigation, energy issues, pipeline safety, automobile regulation, international aviation safety and security and national labor negotiations. In 1997, President William Jefferson Clinton appointed Pericola as Special Assistant to the chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). In that role, Pericola coordinated NTSB policy with the Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, and the White House. He also assisted the chairman with national and international press conferences and television appearances, and assisted in the investigations of several aviation disasters. Pericola gained international experience working in the British House of Commons in London, where he served as a principal adviser to Paul Keetch, MP of Herford. Pericola worked on the presidential campaigns of Bill Clinton in 1996 and John Kerry in 2004, and served on the staff of Senator Bob Graham of Florida, specializing in transportation, defense, and drug policy issues. Pericola is a graduate of Catholic University and holds a Juris Doctorate from Catholic University's Columbus School of Law. Pericola is licensed to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Washington DC Office 517 Seward Square, SE Washington, DC 20003 Tel: 202 277 -0028 7 Florida Office 477 Luna Bella Lane New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 Fax: 202-312-0606 MR. CHRISTOPHER PEDIGO Prior to joining The Seward Square Group. Christopher Pedigo held posit ons in several influential congressional offices on Capitol Hill, worked on political campaigns by coordinating volunteer bases and handling media relations, and successfully lobbied Congress on behalf of a variety of clients municipal, non profit and corporate Beginning in 1994, Chris served as Legislative Director for both Congressman Ken Calvert (R -CA) and then Congressman and now Senator Roger Wicker (R -MS). In these senior positions, Pedigo developed and implemented long term legislative goals, identified and obtained appropriations for district priorities, and supervised legislative staff. During his 7 -year tenure on Capitol Hill, Pedigo worked closely with key staff for Senator Thad Cochran (R -MS), the current Ranking Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, and with key staff for Congressman Jerry Lewis (R -CA), the current Ranking Republican of the House Appropriations Committee. In 2001, Pedigo left the public sector to join the DC office of Reed Smith, LLP one of the most influential law firms in DC to help lead the firm's Congressional Appropriations practice. He strategized with various clients to determine priority issues, develop plans of action and win support from elected officials. Clients included the Metropolitan Washington DC Council of Governments, Eureka, CA, Desert Hot Springs, CA and the United Space Alliance (NASA's primary contractor for the Shuttle program and the International Space Station). In the fall of 2004, Pedigo opened a Washington, D.C. office for Strategies 360, a boutique consulting firm based in Seattle, Washington. During his tenure with Strategies 360, Pedigo built a lobbying practice successfully navigating the Congressional Appropriations process on behalf of non profit, municipal, defense, energy, environmental, and high -tech industry clients. Washington DC Office 517 Seward Square, SE Washington, DC 20003 Tel: 202 277 -0028 8 Florida Office 477 Luna Bella Lane New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 Fax: 202-312-0606 Ms. BRIANNE MURPHY Brianne Murphy brings six years of advocacy experience honed through the legislative and litigation processes to The Seward Square Group. Prior to joining The Seward Square Group. Ms. Murphy served as a lobbyist and consultant at Hall Associates L.L.C. In addition to developing public policy and strategy for clients on a broad range of issues including health care, transportation, energy, and homeland security. Murphy provides litigation support. Prior to joining Hall Associates, Murphy clerked at the firm of Queller, Fisher, Dienst, Serrins, Washor Kool, LLP in New York, NY. where she worked primarily in civil rights and employment litigation. She gained Federal agency experience working for the National Transportation Safety Board. A graduate of Brooklyn Law School, Murphy was awarded the Dean's Merit Scholarship, and was recognized for her work with the New York Civil Rights Coalition with the Brooklyn Law School Public Service Award. While attending law school she served as Research Assistant for Prof. Aaron Twerski, a leading scholar on products liability. She was acknowledged in "Uncertainty and Informed Choice Unmasking Daubert" Margaret A. Berger Aaron Twerski. 104 Mich. L. Rev. 257 for her research contributions in developing a plaintiff's cause of action for informed consent. Ms. Murphy earned her B.A. in Political Science from the George Washington University in 2002. At George Washington, she received the Presidential Achievement Award, and was a Fellow of the Society of International Social Sciences. Ms. Murphy is a member of the New York State Bar and is eligible for admission in Washington, D.C. Washington DC Office 517 Seward Square, SE Washington, DC 20003 Tel: 202 277 -0028 9 Florida Office 477 Luna Bella Lane New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 Fax: 202-312-0606 MS. SITYHEA THOMPSON With over ten years of higher education and outreach experience, on both Capitol Hill and in a variety of frontline roles serving both public and private universities, Ms. Thompson brings unique perspective and insight to legislative issues impacting higher education institutions. In addition to consulting with The Seward Square Group, Thompson also currently serves as Director of the Capital City Area Health Education Center (CC AHEC), a federally funded health and outreach nonprofit, in a partnership with The George Washington University. Here, Thompson is responsible for setting the direction of all CC AHEC's programs, partnerships, outreach and communications as required by federal granting agencies, partnerships and the board. Prior to joining The Seward Square Group, Thompson was honored to not only work on Capitol Hill with Congressman Martin Meehan, but also as Assistant Admissions Director at the University of Massachusetts Lowell expanding services for underrepresented communities. in 2004, Thompson took a hiatus from the public sector to join the NY office of Schulte, Roth Zabel, LLP. With a host of prominent learning institutions as clients, her Thompson assisted a team of legal advocates to execute and reconcile the vision of Boards of Trustees, Presidents, teachers, parents and students to create world class learning institutions. Ms. Thompson earned her B.A. in Criminal Justice from The George Washington University in 2004, this fall she returned to GW for her graduate studies in Public Administration. Washington DC Office 517 Seward Square, SE Washington, DC 20003 Tel: 202 277 -0028 10 Florida Office 477 Luna Bella Lane New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 Fax: 202-312-0606 LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS Our bi- partisan team brings a unique approach and perspective to balancing client and public interests to achieve legislative goals. Seward Square Group brings a wealth of expertise on appropriations; transportation and infrastructure: energy; and government collaborations. The combined legislative expertise and relationships provide incomparable knowledge on the federal process maximizing federal support for client initiatives. Issue areas include: Experts in the appropriations process, our team brings a proven track record to Seward Square Group, evidenced by the successful securing of millions of dollars in government appropriated funds for a broad client base including: City of Fife, Washington City of Fife, Washington: In January 2007 Pedigo pursued funding for a critical 1 -5 interchange improvement project. Pedigo quickly mobilized to bring this important funding request to the attention of Congressmen Adam Smith and Norm Dicks and Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. They touched all levels of the Congressional offices from in -state staff to the policy staff in Washington, DC to the Chiefs of Staff and Members. The FY 2008 Transportation Appropriations bill (included in the FY 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act) included $980,000 for the 1 -5 Port of Tacoma Interchange Project. Cascade Water Alliance Cascade Water Alliance: Pedigo worked for the Cascade Water Alliance to save the Lake Tapps Reservoir (Pierce County, Washington). Working closely with Washington State's Congressional Delegation and staff, Pedigo secured over $30 million in the United States Army Corps of Engineers FY 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 appropriations for the White River /Lake Tapps project. City of Ukiah, California City of Ukiah, California: When the City of Ukiah, California faced the threat of a lawsuit for clean water violations, it turned to the federal appropriations process for assistance. Pedigo helped secure $500,000 under the FY 2004 VA, HUD and Independent Agencies Act for the City to begin work on a new wastewater treatment facility. Given the sensitivity to environmental concerns and proclivity for such lawsuits in California, there are hundreds of similar funding requests in a typical year Washington DC Office 517 Seward Square, SE Washington, DC 20003 Tel: 202 277 -0028 PRACTICE AREAS APPROPRIATIONS 1 1 Florida Office 477 Luna Bella Lane New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 Fax: 202 312 -0606 from various California communities. It is important to note that this project was one of only a handful of wastewater projects for California in that appropriations bill. Metropolitan Washington, DC Council of Governments Metropolitan Washington, DC Council of Governments: Pedigo helped the Metropolitan Washington, DC Council of Governments develop various funding requests and lobby Congress on various legislative items. He successfully: Secured $400.000 in the FY 2004 VA, HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act for a study of the security vulnerabilities of the Metropolitan Washington, DC water and wastewater treatment systems. Obtained legislative language in the FY 2004 Homeland Security Appropriations Act that designated Councils of Government as eligible for federal funding. Educated Members of Congress and staff from the Washington, DC area regarding regional initiatives by the Council of Governments on transportation, homeland security, health care and economic development. City of Port Townsend, WA and Northwest Maritime Center, Port Townsend, WA City of Port Townsend, WA and Northwest Maritime Center, Port Townsend, WA: The Northwest Maritime Center in Port Townsend, WA, engaged Pedigo to pursue funding for the construction of its new facilities, which includes a working pilothouse, museum, library and craft demonstration area. Pedigo worked with the Washington State Congressional Delegation and the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to obtain Congressionally earmarked funds for construction of the center. The following is a list of funds secured: $638,000 for construction of the Northwest Maritime Center in the FY 2005 Transportation Appropriations Act under the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Economic Development Initiatives account. c $225,000 for construction of the Northwest Maritime Center in the FY 2006 Transportation Appropriations Act under the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Economic Development Initiatives account. $500,000 for streetscape improvements in Port Townsend, WA around the Northwest Maritime Center in the FY 2006 Transportation Appropriations Act under the Federal Highway Administration account. $450,000 for construction of the Northwest Maritime Center in the FY 2008 Transportation Appropriations bill. Washington DC Office 12 Florida Office 517 Seward Square, SE 477 Luna Bella Lane Washington, DC 20003 New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 Tel: 202 277 -0028 Fax: 202- 312 -0606 City of Desert Hot Springs, California City of Desert Hot Springs, California. After the City of Desert Hot Springs. California filed for bankruptcy in 2003, Chris Pedigo helped the City organize and shape multiple appropriations requests. He secured: DRS Technologies: Washington DC Office 517 Seward Square, SE Washington, DC 20003 Tel: 202 277 -0028 S1.925 million for the City's Transportation improvement Program under the FY 2004 Transportation and Treasury Appropriations Act. $450,000 under the FY 2004 VA, HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act construction of the City's Civic and Community Center. $675,000 under the FY 2005 Omnibus Appropriations Act for construction of the City's Civic and Community Center. Pericola assisted Congressional Staff with the drafting and introduction of the Safe Aviation and Flight Enhancement Act of 2007 Amends federal transportation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations requiring all commercial aircraft in extended -range operations that must carry fixed cockpit voice recorder and digital flight data recorder units to also be equipped with a second recorder system that utilizes deployable combination cockpit voice and digital flight data recording technology. Requires the second deployable recorder system to be mounted as far rear on the airframe as practicable. Sets forth minimum deployable recorder capabilities. Directs the Secretary to reimburse an air carrier for the costs of purchasing and installing such deployable recorder systems for it to comply with regulations. His lobbying efforts garnered fourteen co- sponsors and passage out of the aviation subcommittee. In 2008, the Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act, was signed into law in 2008 (Public Law 110 -53 httD: /thomas.loc.00v /cgi- bin/bdquerv/z?d110:h.r. 00001), which authorized and funded the "Deployable "Black Box" Pilot Program" at 3,500,000. This funding allows the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to test "deployable black box" technologies for expediting the recovery, development, and analysis of information from aircraft accidents to determine their cause. 13 Florida Office 477 Luna Bella Lane New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 Fax: 202- 312 -0606 TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE S/ LEA -LU. the multi -year surface transportation funding authorization legislation. will c xn,re in September. 2009. Reauthorization amounts are projected to be approximately Si' billion Discussions surrounding these issues center on spending parameters, as well as funding mechanisms Those seeking funding should be following legislative developments closely preparing projects that will align with the funding goals. and interacting with federal decision makers. Seward Square Group is currently working with clients who have meritorious transportation and infrastructure projects to assist them in taking steps to secure funding. From our offices in Washington, DC and New Smyrna Beach, our firm is well positioned to help pursue your objectives both with Congress and the relevant regulatory authorities. Seward Square Group principals have a wealth of transportation and infrastructure experience from the public and private sector. Prior to the formation of Seward Square Group, principals James Pericola, Christopher Pedigo and Brianne Murphy served as registered lobbyists for a host of clients including, but not limited to: Ford Motor Company, BP North America, DaimlerChrysler AG, Independent Pilots' Association (UPS Pilot's Association), City of Santa Monica, California, Norfolk Southern, Porsche AG, Government of Greece, Government of Taiwan, Lloyds of London, DRS Technologies, City of Ukiah, California, Metropolitan Washington, DC Council of Governments, and City of Desert Hot Springs, California. A former schedule C presidential appointment to the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board Pericola brings over a decade of experience working on high level transportation issues. As Chief of Staff to the Chairman of the NTSB, Pericola: Obtained support for Safety Board sponsored legislation. Improved the dissemination of safety information. Heightened public awareness of the Board's activities in transportation safety. Improved mechanisms to disseminate to Congress and foreign countries meaningful accident information on "lessons learned" from transportation accidents in the United Stated and abroad. Washington DC Office 517 Seward Square, SE Washington, DC 20003 Tel: 202 277 -0028 14 Florida Office 477 Luna Bella Lane New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 Fax: 202 312 -0606 In the private sector Pericola has lobbied on behalf of numerous clients on transportation safety issues. some examples include: State of Nevada Key person responsible for comprehensive transportation plan for the Western States that defeated more than 10 billion dollars of federal funding for the Yucca Mountain Plan Spearheaded team of experts to assist Clark County, the State of Nevada and the State Project for Nuclear Projects to defeat the federal government. Developed and rolled out a comprehensive media strategy including television, drafting and placing op -ed pieces. Led collaborative effort with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's office, the Western Governors Association, Colorado Delegation, Nevada Delegation. Utah, and New Mexico delegation. Porsche Successfully lobbied on behalf of Porsche to get an exemption on the second generation airbag standards resulting in twenty million dollars worth of savings for the company. Established Porsche as an industry leader who exceeded industry standards at the time. Ford Motor Company Chief strategist to Ford Motor Company in the aftermath of the Ford /Firestone crisis which lead to the passage of the TREAD ACT. City of Santa Monica: Provided strategic counsel to the City of Santa Monica regarding transportation issues. Devised Federal and regulatory strategy to aid city government officials in navigating the NTSB investigation process. Washington DC Office 15 Florida Office 517 Seward Square, SE 477 Luna Bella Lane Washington, DC 20003 New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 Tel: 202 277 -0028 Fax: 202 312 -0606 UMAC Ensi the passage of Pub L 109 -468. Atte rirge than 30 years of government inaction, devised a legislative strategy that joined the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and members of the Congressional Fire Caucus to mandate the use of Excess Flow Valves. On December 29, 2006, President George W. Bush signed into law the Pipeline Inspection, Protection and Enforcement Act (PIPES). Pub. L 109 -468 that, among other things, mandated the use of Excess Flow Valves. According to the IAFC, "James Pericola was the driving force behind this landmark safety achievement. His actions and relentless pursuit of mandating EFVs will save lives of our first responders." ENERGY In addition to substantive understanding of the key components of the implications of energy related legislation Partner Jamie Pericola brings the political acumen to impact its outcome. Working with Holcim (US) Inc. Pericola: Formed the Energy Intensive Working Group (EEI) The Working Group was established to deal with "the carbon leakage problem." This best describes the situation of the United States enacting tough global warming regulation, but other manufacturing nations do not. In such a scenario, the production of energy intensive, trade exposed goods would shift to the unregulated countries with less stringent standards. To address this concern, a group of energy intensive, trade exposed industry was formed. The membership includes: Holcim (US) Inc., Dow Chemical Company, US Steel, Alcoa, Nucor, Corning, Owens Illinois. Established Holcim as an expert resource to key Members and staff on issues of importance to by arranging for Holcim executives to testify before Congress on six occasions in the two years including, in front of: House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; Senate Finance Committee; House Judiciary Committee Anti -Trust Task Force; House Ways and Means Committee; Energy and Commerce Committee; and House Select Committee on Energy Independence. Washington DC Office 16 Florida Office 517 Seward Square, SE 477 Luna Bella Lane Washington, DC 20003 New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 Tel: 202 277 -0028 Fax: 202 312 -0606 E.y active and constructive engagement through direct lobbying. Congressional t Mstu'nony., fundraising, bipartisan coalition building. and legislative drafting. we successfully worked for the inclusion of the "Inslee -Doyle Provision" in N.R. 2454, The American Clean Energy Security. The Inslee -Doyle proposal for transitional rebates to certain energy-intensive manufacturers of basic commodity products that are subject to strong international competition. The goal is to counter pressures to shift production, jobs and emissions to countries that do not have comparable carbon emission reduction programs. Rebates are intended to cover increased costs associated with both direct emissions and indirect emissions (if the latter are not covered by the allocation to local electricity distribution companies). Rebates are based on an industry benchmark emission rate (e.g., tons of 002 per ton of cement) and facility specific output data (e.g.. tons of cement produced). This "carve out" resulted in 15 percent of the total allocated allowances and was seen as a significant success for energy intensive manufacturers. In addition to being instrumental in ensuring this successful provision, Holcim (US) Inc. was able to secure company specific language in H.R. 2454, The American Clean Energy Security Act "The output of the cement sector is hydraulic cement, not clinker." This single sentence was a major victory for Holcim (US) Inc. and reflects the company's position as a global industry leader on the climate change legislation. STATE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS In additional our work within the federal government, The Seward Square Group brings vast experience in state government to our clients. With broad contacts throughout the United States, members of Seward Square Group hail from Florida, Tennessee, and Nevada. Decades of collective experience in State Government Affairs, with a specific focus on the Southeastern United States provide our group with the ability to appreciate state and regional political needs. As such we are well- suited to handle any goals our clients wish to pursue in any region of the country. Washington DC Office 517 Seward Square, SE Washington, DC 20003 Tel: 202 277 -0028 17 Florida Office 477 Luna Bella Lane New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 Fax: 202 312 -0606