North Little Rock Patrick Henry Hays, at left, listens to Modesto Mayor Richard A. Lang during the June 10 session of the Electric Utility Restructuring Task Force. Over the past year, Hayes, who chairs this special Task Force, has been leading the panel's efforts to refine the Conference's position on federal legislative proposals to increase retail competition. The Task Force's recommendations were subsequently approved by the Conference's Energy and Environment Committee and the full membership at the Annual Business Meeting.