Washington, D.C. – Senate Energy & Natural Resources Chairman Pete Domenici today announced the selection of energy and natural resources attorney Karen Hunsicker Billups as deputy chief counsel for the committee effective July 7, 2003. Domenici’s statement: “Karen brings extensive expertise in natural resources, energy and nuclear matters to this post. I have admired her previous work both for this committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee. I am delighted that she is returning to the committee and look forward to her contributions as deputy chief counsel.” Billups currently serves as the director of federal affairs and Washington counsel for Entergy Corporation. She worked for the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee from 1995 from 1999. From 1995 through 1998, she was counsel for energy issues and civilian and defense nuclear issues. In December, 1998, Billups became the committee’s senior counsel for energy, a position she held until she left the committee in December 1999. Billups served as counsel to Republican Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee from 1993-1995; as legislative and regulatory counsel for energy clients at the law firm of Balch and Bingham from 1992-1993; with the Office of General Counsel at the Department of Energy from 1990-1991 and as an attorney with Baker & Botts from 1987 to 1990. She holds a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law and a B.A. from Southern Methodist University. Earlier this week, Chairman Domenici announced the promotion of current Deputy Chief Counsel Judy Pensabene to the post of chief counsel upon the retirement of Chief Counsel James Beirne on July 4. ###