COLUMBUS — For a fund-raiser Wednesday night, Republican Rep. Nancy Hollister of Marietta enlisted the help of some of the most powerful names in the energy business.

        Today, Ms. Hollister planned to open her first hearing as co-chair of a special committee formed by Speaker Larry Householder to study energy issues.

        Both Ms. Hollister and Mr. Householder, a Glenford Republican who was co-host for the event, said the fund-raiser was not intended to influence any discussions before the committee. Ms. Hollister said she has been working on the fund-raiser for her re-election campaign since January and it was scheduled before the committee was formed.

        “The two do not correspond,” Ms. Hollister said.

        The fund-raiser, billed as “Business After Hours,” was put together with the help of a dozen lobbyists who lent their names to the invitation, Ms. Hollister said. She described them as “marquee” attractions at the event.

        The invitation requests a $250 donation to the Committee to Elect Hollister.

        The lobbyists represent a diverse group of business interests including Cinergy; BP-Amoco, the worldwide petroleum products company; and the Ohio Oil And Gas Association and the Ohio Coal Association, both industry trade groups.

        All of the groups have given campaign contributions to Republican House candidates or to Mr. Householder's caucus campaign fund.

        Since Mr. Householder assumed control of the House in January 2001, Cinergy has contributed at least $28,450 to House Republicans. The Oil And Gas Association has given at least $16,180 during that period while BP Amoco contributed at least $9,600 and the Coal Association, $1,500. The groups also have given to Democrats.

        Ms. Hollister said the lobbyists simply lent their names to the event and “gave no monetary contributions.”

        Ms. Hollister sent invitations to environmental and consumer groups, and she said she listens to their concerns, as well as those of business and farm groups.

        The House Energy Policy Committee combines Ms. Hollister's Energy & Environment and the Public Utilities committees. They plan to hold hearings throughout the spring to study how Ohio uses energy.

        Mr. Householder said he created the committee to look at ways to make Ohio more energy efficient and take advantage of its resources. He wants to bring lawmakers up to speed on energy issues, especially the 51 freshmen who have arrived during the first session after term limits.

        Mr. Householder said it was not unusual for a committee chair to have a fund-raiser as hearings are held on issues that affect contributors. He said since the committee is not discussing specific legislation, lobbyists cannot influence a bill.

        “I don't see where it's any problem,” Mr. Householder said. “There is no legislation and we don't know if the committee will recommend any legislation.”

        Calls seeking comment from Ohio Citizen Action, a campaign-finance watchdog group, were not returned Wednesday.

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