FERC Restored to Full Complement of Five Commissioners

The U.S. Senate last week approved President Biden’s three nominees to serve on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) bringing the agency to its full complement of five commissioners.

Industry and clean energy groups welcomed the move saying that a fully staffed commission is crucial to address challenges posed by an aging electric grid, the fast changing generation mix, discussions over natural gas infrastructure, and other energy issues.

The Senate voted to confirm David Rosner, of Massachusetts, for a term expiring June 30, 2027; Lindsay See, of West Virginia, for a term expiring June 30, 2028; and Judy Chang, of Massachusetts, for a term expiring June 30, 2029.

The vote avoids the possibility of having too few members to vote on key issues including those pertaining to liquefied natural gas export projects, natural gas pipelines, and electric reliability and transmission rules. FERC recently released a final rule to address regional and long-term transmission planning.

The Electric Power Supply Association, which represents competitive suppliers said that restoring FERC to a full roster will help provide regulatory certaining and attention required to address key energy system issues, noting that “FERC has no shortage of complex challenges to tackle, and it does that best with a full slate of commissioners.”

Environmental group Earthjustice commended the approval saying that the new commissioners will play a “vital role in ensuring a reliable, affordable, modern grid and fully weighing the climate and community impacts of gas projects.”

The American Petroleum Association thanked the Senate for their “timely and deliberative bipartisan confirmation process to ensure FERC maintains quorum and is able to function properly.”

FERC is an independent agency that regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil. The agency is composed of up to five commissioners appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate. Commissioners serve five-year terms, and have an equal vote on regulatory matters.