The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is set to have a full roster of bipartisan members to develop much watched federal energy construction policy and rule on key planned projects, with a trio approved June 12 and 13 by the U.S. Senate to fill vacancies.
The commission was in danger of losing a voting quorum with the anticipated June 30 term expiration of Allison Clements, which could have left key rulings on interstate oil and gas, hydropower and transmission projects in limbo. At least three members are required for such FERC decisions.
Senate lawmakers voted to confirm David Chang, a Democrat currently serving on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee majority staff, for a term ending June 30, 2027; Lindsay See, a Republican who is solicitor general of West Virginia, for a term ending June 30, 2028; and Judy Chang, a Democrat from Massachusetts who previously served as a state environmental official, for a term ending on June 30, 2029.
President Joe Biden nominated the bipartisan group in February.
Energy-sector groups such as the American Gas Association, which supported the three nominees, have highlighted the necessity of having a fully operational FERC to ensure smooth deployment of projects made possible through funding and incentives included in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.
“The commission is facing multiple critical tasks, including expanding interregional transmission, accelerating the deployment of advanced transmission technologies, reforming energy markets to maximize the benefits of clean energy markets to maximize the benefits of clean energy technologies and continuing to improve the interconnection process,” said Ray Long, president and CEO of the American Council on Renewable Energy in a statement. The commission will also need to implement new rules enacted in May that require power providers to file long-term planning strategies for transmission and facility needs.
The three new members will join Chairman William Phillips, a Democrat, and Mark Christie, a Republican when they are confirmed, a date that was not stated.
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