There's been lots of chatter on K Street about certain lobbyists losing some clout as the result of Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., being forced to relinquish the gavel of the House Energy and Commerce Committee this week. Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif. will be the new chair of the committee in the next Congress.

Lobbyists who have built their businesses around ties to Dingell will be especially busy meeting with their clients over the next few months. If you're one of those lobbyists you'll be looking to reassure clients you are still relevant and effective. "Over three decades, John built up a group of friends and former lawmakers and staff who have revolved onto K Street and it will be a significant change" to not have the veteran lawmaker in charge of the powerful committee, said former Rep. Gerry Sikorski, D-Minn., a partner at law and lobbying firm Holland & Knight. Sikorski added that Dingell will "still be a force" on the committee, so it's not bleak" for those lobbyists with Dingell ties.

A number of businesses are also worried about how tough Waxman will be on corporate interests. Sectors likely to see more heat are the auto, pharmaceutical, and tobacco industries. In a story today, The New York Times quoted David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Mich. saying Waxman is an "irrational environmental zealot."

Sikorski, who worked closely with Waxman while he was in Congress, says the lawmaker is more reasonable than his reputation would indicate. "He is very much a pragmatist, with an eye on the ideal," he said. " I think stakeholders will be pleasantly surprised how involved they will be" in the legislative process." To bone up on Waxman, check out Julie Kosterlitz's NJ profile of Waxman from 1989. 

So whose star power is waxing and whose is waning? National Journal can't say definitively. But we know of three former Waxman aides who now work on K Street who may be getting more phone calls than usual over the next few weeks: Julian Haywood, with Heather Podesta + Partners; Paul Kim, partner with Foley Hoag; and Greg Wetstone, senior director of governmental and public affairs at the American Wind Energy Association.

And those who worked for Dingell? The Center for Responsive Politics's revolving door section lists former Dingell staffers who are now on K Street.

Some names missing from that list include Dingell's wife Debbie Dingell, who though not a registered lobbyist has worked for General Motors for many years; John Ford with Sidley Austin; Lisa Kountoupes, founder of Kountoupes Consulting; John Orlando, senior vice president with CBS; Johanna Shelton, a lobbyist with Google; Marda Robillard, vice president with Van Scoyoc Associates; and Thomas Ryan of Ryan, Phillips, Utrecht & MacKinnon.

                                                                                                                     --Bara Vaida