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APGA Sends Letter in Support of President’s FERC Nominees

By Dave Schryver posted 06-07-2017 10:31 AM

  
On June 5, APGA sent a letter to the Senate Energy Committee leadership in support of the President’s nominations of Neil Chatterjee, a staffer for Senate Majority Leader McConnell (R-Ky.), and Rob Powelson, a member of the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission since 2008 and current president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Mr. Chatterjee’s term would expire on June 30, 2021 and Commissioner Powelson’s term would expire on June 30, 2020. Currently, Commissioner Honorable and Acting Chair LaFleur are the only two members on the commission, which does not provide the commission with a quorum and as a result the commission has been unable to hold monthly meetings or act on a number of issues.

In its letter, APGA communicates that as a utility regulator in Pennsylvania, Mr. Powelson oversaw regulations addressing pipeline safety, natural gas markets and utility infrastructure. He has been a supporter of energy reliability and consumer protection and has communicated his commitment to FERC’s mission of ensuring that the rates and terms of service by which utilities operate are just and reasonable. The letter also states that Mr. Chatterjee’s expertise in energy policy makes him an excellent candidate for FERC. He has demonstrated a strong knowledge of the energy challenges and opportunities facing our country while expressing support for consumer protection and the development of energy infrastructure.

On June 6, the Senate Energy Committee approved the nominations on a 20-3 vote. The nominations will now go the Senate floor, likely in the near future, for a full vote. A copy of the APGA’s letter of support is available on the APGA website. For questions on this article, please contact Dave Schryver of APGA staff by phone at 202-464-2742 or by email at dschryver@apga.org.

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