Welcome to the fifth annual issue of Platts Insight—Global Power Markets. As the worldwide focus on environmental protection continues to build, the North American energy industry is clearly taking notice.

Based on findings in the recently released Platts/Capgemini Utilities Executive Study, the environment surfaced as one of the industry's most critical issues. Specifically, the effects of global warming, climate change, emissions/carbon requirements and regulation are the top challenges facing the industry today.

You will see how Platts Insight and the Global Power Markets conference are addressing these issues head on. The full Executive Summary of the Platts/Capgemini Utilities Executive Study is outlined on page 12 of this issue.

Platts Insight is the print companion to our key events. For each event, Insight elaborates on topics discussed at the conference, from the opening address to the final session, in articles written by recognized leaders in the field.

If you're looking for ways to reach precisely targeted conference audiences with business, industrial, or technical products and services, Insight offers a high-profile forum for addressing the industry issues vital to each event's audience.

Copies of this issue are also distributed to more than 10,000 industry professionals, including current and past attendees of the Global Power Markets Conference, and to subscribers of selected Platts publications, including Global Power Report, Energy Economist, and Power Markets Week.

We'll be publishing additional issues of Insight throughout the year in conjunction with other major events. If you'd like to learn more about the upcoming issues, visit our web site at http://platts.com/Magazines/Insight/.

I hope you enjoy this issue.

Patsy Wurster

Publisher, Platts Insight