WAshINGTON FROM PAGE 16 upside is not to be underesti- eight years,” said one. “That
these guys will bring,” said Roger mated, but I don’t find them an won’t happen under Obama
Cochetti, group director of U.S. easy read,” Black said. and these chairmen, but Rock-public policy for Comp TIA (Com- Other Washington tech indus- efeller still has strong telecom
puting Technology Industry Asso- try advocates were even more ties. He was a strong voice for
ciation). “Their track records are circumspect, at least on the [telephone companies being
important, but running a com- record. Speaking anonymously given immunity for domestic
because of the sensitive nature spying ordered by the Bush
of establishing working relation- administration].”
ships with the new chairmen, But CompTIA’s Cochettipraised
several industry leaders praised —barbara boxer Rockefeller as “something of
the changes in Congress while a technologist. He has a long-others expressed reservations
about the impact on the industry.
‘This is
truly a
sea
change.’
The executive said, for instance,
that Waxman is likely to crack standing interest in technology,
and, deep down, he really feels
that tech is a driving force in the
economy.”
“Tech is a tremendous energy
user, particularly with its huge
server farms,” said one. “Given
Waxman’s environmental and
energy positions, yes, there are
concerns about the additional
cost of regulations and the
potential liabilities that come
with new energy policies.”
With so much change in
the air in Washington—a new
White House administration
and new congressional lead-
ership—Gigi Sohn, president
and co-founder of the public
advocacy group Public Knowl-
edge, said that until all the
deck chairs get rearranged, it
is “really difficult to make any
Rockefeller will chair the senate’s Com- down on e-waste, and that raises predictions” about legislative
merce, science and Transportation Committee. concerns for the consumer elec- good advantage.” outcomes.
tronics industry. Rockefeller, considered a In any event, Rockefeller and
mittee is an entirely different “There [are] always trade-offs, friend to the telecom industry, Waxman, in particular, will bring
thing.” but this one may be hard to take,” is a cause for concern among what one executive called a
Ed Black, president and CEO the executive said. On the other those looking for reform. “completely different set of pri-
of CCIA (Computer & Commu- hand, the executive said, new “Let’s face it, the Bells have orities and dynamics” to the
nications Industry Association), energy policies could allow for owned the Bush administration tech debate. Which priorities
saidthereis“nothing automatic” “tech innovators and investors and the [Federal Communica- and what dynamics remain to
about the new chairmen. “The to use their entrepreneurship to tions Commission] for the last be seen. ´
