during the 1970s, he was also a key figure in the formation of the epri and eseerco— two energy organizations that have conducted extensive research exploring efficient energy utilization, environmental protection, cleaner advanced energy sources, and improved methods for the transmission and distribution of electric energy. torpey, who assumed the role of eseerco’s administrator in 1974, steered that organization through its evolution from a group focused on nuclear research into a research consortium that conducted a wide range of electric energy research projects for the electric utilities in new york state. he served as its administrator from 1974 to 1976, and was executive director from 1988 to his retirement in 1999.