Latest news with #JohnBryson
E&E News
19-05-2025
- Business
- E&E News
NRDC co-founder, Obama Commerce boss dies
John Bryson, who teamed up with Yale Law School classmates in 1970 to launch one of the nation's leading environmental organizations, died last week. He was 81. Bryson died May 13 at his home in San Marino, California, according to an obituary published by the California Institute of Technology, where Bryson served on the board of trustees. The cause of death was not specified. After co-founding the Natural Resources Defense Council with his law school classmates, Bryson went on to serve as chair of the California State Water Resources Control Board, president of the California Public Utilities Commission and as chair and CEO of Edison International. Advertisement Bryson served as President Barack Obama's Commerce secretary from October 2011 until June 2012. He resigned from his post after he was involved in two car accidents while suffering from a seizure. President Barack Obama meets with John Bryson, former secretary of Commerce, in the Oval Office of the White House on June 21, 2012. | Susan Walsh/AP 'NRDC is part of the vast legacy that John leaves behind,' the green group's president and CEO, Manish Bapna, said in a statement. 'We will honor his memory by continuing to pursue the vision that John and his friends shared in creating NRDC. The work we do to protect people and nature continues in no small part because of his generosity of spirit,' Bapna said. Gus Speth, another NRDC co-founder, described the group as a 'ragtag group of law students' who had 'entered college as the civil rights movement was in full swing.' They 'shared the 1960s' sense of hope and the desire to bring about serious change in American society,' Speth recounted in a 2014 article. Speth and other NRDC co-founders John Adams, Richard Ayres and Edward Strohbehn called Bryson a 'natural leader, innovator and a dedicated environmentalist,' in a statement this week. 'He possessed a perfect mix of brilliance, determination and charm. At NRDC and elsewhere he leaves behind a record of remarkable accomplishments,' they said. When Bryson took the helm of Edison International in 1990, the Los Angeles Times reported that the pick was 'widely viewed as an inspired public relations move for the image-conscious utility.' Bryson was confirmed in 2011 as Obama's second Commerce secretary, despite objections from Senate Republicans who criticized his environmental roots. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) called Bryson an 'environmental extremist' as he sought to rally GOP opposition to the nomination. 'John is the rare nominee to present himself to Congress with endorsements from the [U.S.] Chamber [of Commerce], military suppliers, and the nation's leading environmental organizations,' then-Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) said during Bryson's confirmation hearing. 'If ever there was a time for someone who can bring us all together, this is that moment in history.' Obama praised his outgoing Cabinet member when Bryson resigned in 2012, saying the Commerce secretary had 'fought tirelessly for our nation's businesses and workers, helping to bolster our exports and promote American manufacturing and products at home and abroad.' Prosecutors declined to file criminal charges against Bryson in relation to the traffic accidents, saying his seizure had been responsible for the incidents. Bryson was born in New York City and raised in Portland, Oregon. He graduated from Stanford University and Yale Law School. He is survived by his wife, Louise Henry Bryson, and four daughters.
Associated Press
17-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
John Bryson, Former Edison International Chairman and CEO, Dies at 81
ROSEMEAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 17, 2025-- The entire Edison International, Southern California Edison and Trio community is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of John Bryson, who served as Edison International's chairman and CEO from 1990 to 2008. John passed away Tuesday, May 13 at age 81. He was a groundbreaking leader whose remarkable career ranged from a founding role in the environmental movement to public service as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: John Bryson was former Edison International Chairman and CEO, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce and co-founder of the Natural Resources Defense Council. 'Our industry has lost a true legend, and I have lost a mentor,' said Pedro Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International. 'John's steady leadership during the California electricity crisis and the industry's restructuring two decades ago set a guiding model for me as we navigate a changing utility landscape.' After graduating from Stanford University and Yale Law School, John co-founded the Natural Resources Defense Council in 1970. He was one of the earliest to sound the alarm about the impacts of climate change and was a vocal advocate to advance energy efficiency, renewable energy and electric transportation. He later chaired the California State Water Resources Board (1976-79) and served as president of the California Public Utilities Commission (1979-82). John joined SCE in 1984 as senior vice president for legal and financial affairs. His first major assignment was to analyze whether the company should develop a competitive power business, newly permitted under changes in federal law, which would be independent of the utility. John strongly recommended its development. Subsequently, the company developed a series of successful cogeneration projects in California and the western United States; created a new parent company, Edison International; and formed a new subsidiary that became Edison Mission Energy. As chairman and CEO during the 1990s and early 2000s, John's background as a regulator and environmentalist benefited the company through California's utility deregulation and electricity supply crisis, while prioritizing customer and shareholder interests. John also helped clear a path for Edison's leadership role in today's clean energy transition. Under his direction, Edison Mission Energy grew from a small operation with about 300 people to a major part of Edison International's business — one that employed 1,900 people and contributed more than $500 million to the parent company's earnings. It was the sale of most of EME's international assets that enabled Edison International to return to financial health following the collapse of the independent power producers' market in 2002. SCE soon became one of the nation's leaders in supporting the growth of renewable energy. 'John worked tirelessly with state officials and other stakeholders to achieve legislative and regulatory changes in the public interest that strengthened Edison and California's entire economy,' Pizarro said. After retiring from Edison International, John later served as U.S. Secretary of Commerce under President Barack Obama from 2011 to 2012. Our most heartfelt sympathy goes out to John's wife, Louise, their four daughters and their families. He will be deeply missed. View source version on CONTACT: Media Relations: (626) 302-2255 [email protected] KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: UTILITIES ENERGY SOURCE: Edison International Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 05/17/2025 01:30 AM/DISC: 05/17/2025 01:29 AM
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
John Bryson, Former Edison International Chairman and CEO, Dies at 81
Successfully Led Company Through California Electricity Crisis in Early 2000s Remarkable Career Spanned Environmental Activism and Public Service ROSEMEAD, Calif., May 17, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The entire Edison International, Southern California Edison and Trio community is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of John Bryson, who served as Edison International's chairman and CEO from 1990 to 2008. John passed away Tuesday, May 13 at age 81. He was a groundbreaking leader whose remarkable career ranged from a founding role in the environmental movement to public service as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. "Our industry has lost a true legend, and I have lost a mentor," said Pedro Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International. "John's steady leadership during the California electricity crisis and the industry's restructuring two decades ago set a guiding model for me as we navigate a changing utility landscape." After graduating from Stanford University and Yale Law School, John co-founded the Natural Resources Defense Council in 1970. He was one of the earliest to sound the alarm about the impacts of climate change and was a vocal advocate to advance energy efficiency, renewable energy and electric transportation. He later chaired the California State Water Resources Board (1976-79) and served as president of the California Public Utilities Commission (1979-82). John joined SCE in 1984 as senior vice president for legal and financial affairs. His first major assignment was to analyze whether the company should develop a competitive power business, newly permitted under changes in federal law, which would be independent of the utility. John strongly recommended its development. Subsequently, the company developed a series of successful cogeneration projects in California and the western United States; created a new parent company, Edison International; and formed a new subsidiary that became Edison Mission Energy. As chairman and CEO during the 1990s and early 2000s, John's background as a regulator and environmentalist benefited the company through California's utility deregulation and electricity supply crisis, while prioritizing customer and shareholder interests. John also helped clear a path for Edison's leadership role in today's clean energy transition. Under his direction, Edison Mission Energy grew from a small operation with about 300 people to a major part of Edison International's business — one that employed 1,900 people and contributed more than $500 million to the parent company's earnings. It was the sale of most of EME's international assets that enabled Edison International to return to financial health following the collapse of the independent power producers' market in 2002. SCE soon became one of the nation's leaders in supporting the growth of renewable energy. "John worked tirelessly with state officials and other stakeholders to achieve legislative and regulatory changes in the public interest that strengthened Edison and California's entire economy," Pizarro said. After retiring from Edison International, John later served as U.S. Secretary of Commerce under President Barack Obama from 2011 to 2012. Our most heartfelt sympathy goes out to John's wife, Louise, their four daughters and their families. He will be deeply missed. View source version on Contacts Media Relations: (626) 302-2255 News@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
John Bryson, Former Edison International Chairman and CEO, Dies at 81
Successfully Led Company Through California Electricity Crisis in Early 2000s Remarkable Career Spanned Environmental Activism and Public Service ROSEMEAD, Calif., May 17, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The entire Edison International, Southern California Edison and Trio community is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of John Bryson, who served as Edison International's chairman and CEO from 1990 to 2008. John passed away Tuesday, May 13 at age 81. He was a groundbreaking leader whose remarkable career ranged from a founding role in the environmental movement to public service as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. "Our industry has lost a true legend, and I have lost a mentor," said Pedro Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International. "John's steady leadership during the California electricity crisis and the industry's restructuring two decades ago set a guiding model for me as we navigate a changing utility landscape." After graduating from Stanford University and Yale Law School, John co-founded the Natural Resources Defense Council in 1970. He was one of the earliest to sound the alarm about the impacts of climate change and was a vocal advocate to advance energy efficiency, renewable energy and electric transportation. He later chaired the California State Water Resources Board (1976-79) and served as president of the California Public Utilities Commission (1979-82). John joined SCE in 1984 as senior vice president for legal and financial affairs. His first major assignment was to analyze whether the company should develop a competitive power business, newly permitted under changes in federal law, which would be independent of the utility. John strongly recommended its development. Subsequently, the company developed a series of successful cogeneration projects in California and the western United States; created a new parent company, Edison International; and formed a new subsidiary that became Edison Mission Energy. As chairman and CEO during the 1990s and early 2000s, John's background as a regulator and environmentalist benefited the company through California's utility deregulation and electricity supply crisis, while prioritizing customer and shareholder interests. John also helped clear a path for Edison's leadership role in today's clean energy transition. Under his direction, Edison Mission Energy grew from a small operation with about 300 people to a major part of Edison International's business — one that employed 1,900 people and contributed more than $500 million to the parent company's earnings. It was the sale of most of EME's international assets that enabled Edison International to return to financial health following the collapse of the independent power producers' market in 2002. SCE soon became one of the nation's leaders in supporting the growth of renewable energy. "John worked tirelessly with state officials and other stakeholders to achieve legislative and regulatory changes in the public interest that strengthened Edison and California's entire economy," Pizarro said. After retiring from Edison International, John later served as U.S. Secretary of Commerce under President Barack Obama from 2011 to 2012. Our most heartfelt sympathy goes out to John's wife, Louise, their four daughters and their families. He will be deeply missed. View source version on Contacts Media Relations: (626) 302-2255 News@
