Legislative Energy Horizon Institute

Educating energy policymakers

The Legislative Energy Horizon Institute (LEHI) educates state and provincial legislators, governors’ advisors and policymakers on the North American energy infrastructure and delivery system. The Institute brings together diverse perspectives through public, private and government partners and sponsors. LEHI faculty are widely respected academic, industry and government leaders who ensure a well-rounded learning experience while providing access to an ongoing network of energy industry expertise.

LEHI is a two-part program with the first session taking place at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory campus in Richland, WA, in the summer, and the second session taking place in Washington, D.C. in the fall. Graduates receive a certificate of completion in energy policy planning and continuing education units through University of Idaho.

Curriculum

The comprehensive curriculum helps policymakers understand how energy systems and infrastructure work, how energy infrastructure is built and financed and the regulation and market impacts on energy infrastructure. Participants give LEHI high praise, rating it one of the most impactful legislative policy education programs in North America with formal assessments showing learning increases in every course module every year.

Course objectives

• Gain a concrete understanding of the electric grid and how it operates
• Learn how the various energy sectors interface to produce and deliver energy
• Examine the rules and regulation of electric, natural gas and petroleum infrastructure
• Understand the regulatory, financial and planning challenges associated with building new energy infrastructure
• Apply technical knowledge to implement informed and effective energy policy
• Understand the relationship between climate and energy

Alumni

Since its inception in 2009, over 470 legislators, governors’ advisors and policymakers from 47 U.S. States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and 5 Canadian Provinces and Territories have graduated from LEHI. Through the program, policymakers expand their knowledge of the complex issues associated with the entire energy ecosystem, including electricity, natural gas, renewables, oil, transmission; policy and regulation governing this infrastructure; and the interdependence of the energy system, enabling them to make responsible and informed policy choices.

Institute partners

• Pacific Northwest Economic Region
• National Conference of State Legislatures
• Energy Executive Course
• National Governors Association
• U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Electricity
• Natural Resources Canada

More than 15 energy companies and association sponsors support the design and delivery of the program.