On May 25, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a nomination hearing to consider the nominations of Dan Brouillet for Deputy Secretary of Energy, and Neil Chatterjee and Robert Powelson to be members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Brouillette most recently served as Senior Vice President for public policy at USAA. Prior to that, Brouillette was head of domestic policy for Ford. Brouillette formerly served as Chief of Staff for the Energy and Commerce Committee and is Department of Energy (DOE) veteran, having worked as Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs from 2001 to 2003.
Chatterjee currently serves as energy policy advisor to Majority Leader McConnell. Powelson is President of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and a member of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. Both Chatterjee and Powelson have extensive experience in natural gas and other energy issues, as well as FERC and regulatory permitting and process issues.
Member statements were delivered by Majority Leader McConnell, Majority Whip John Cornyn, and Senator Toomey. Senator Toomey specifically noted the importance of developing and deploying natural gas resources and infrastructure to provide low-cost, reliable energy. In answering questions, all nominees have expressed support for increased natural gas usage. Powelson specifically cited the surge in natural gas usage in his home state of Pennsylvania.
This hearing marks a step forward on the path towards a FERC quorum and an adequately-staffed DOE. Chairwoman Murkowski remarked: "This hearing is an important step in our efforts to restore a quorum at FERC, and to ensure that Secretary Perry has a good team in place at his Department. I believe Mr. Brouillette, Mr. Chatterjee, and Mr. Powelson are all well-qualified, and deserve to move quickly through the process to confirmation.” Next, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee will vote on confirmation, followed by a floor vote. Confirmation of these individuals will allow these agencies to resume critical work on permitting and energy policy issues.
For questions on this article, please contact Doug MacGillivray of APGA staff by phone at 202-464-2742 or by email at
dmacgillivray@apga.org.