From recovering housing markets and corporate handouts to the latest green strategies and tightening regulations, sweeping change is afoot in Washington. In addition to the big issues on everyone's radar, there are emerging opportunities for public affairs pros.

Mike Lake, US head of public affairs at Burson-Marsteller, notes not just an increase in RFPs related to alternative and renewable fuels, but also requests to help promote new approaches, such as weatherization for low-income households and smart grid development. ...