This week, the full Senate confirmed President Biden’s three nominees for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), narrowly avoiding a loss of quorum on the Commission. APGA members should be aware of what’s happening at FERC since it is the independent agency tasked with regulating the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil. APGA member systems are often impacted by FERC’s decisions pertaining to interstate transmission rate setting and subsequent rate cases. FERC also makes decisions on permitting new natural gas infrastructure.
David Rosner, a Democrat who is currently on detail to the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee majority staff, and Lindsay See, a Republican who is currently the Solicitor General of West Virginia, were both confirmed with separate, bipartisan votes late in the day on Wednesday.
Judy Chang, the third nominee, is a Democrat from Massachusetts who previously served as the Undersecretary of Energy and Climate Solutions for the state. The Senate voted on Chang’s confirmation on June 13. With Chang's confirmation, all five of the seats on the Commission will be filled for the first time in months.
Read more about the nominees here.
Before the votes in the Senate, APGA and others sent a letter urging swift action on the bipartisan slate of nominees. Find that letter here.
APGA members should be pleased to see Congress respond to our request, as it is important that the Commission maintain a quorum. Any period of time without a fully seated Commission could result in delays that would impact new infrastructure projects, rate case proceedings, etc. APGA applauds Congress’ recent action and APGA staff will continue to work with offices on Capitol Hill to share about the importance of a fully seated and fully functioning FERC.
For questions on this article, please contact Josh St.Pierre of APGA staff by phone at 202-407-0015 or by email at jstpierre@apga.org.