On November 19, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved on a 14-6 vote the President’s nomination of Dan Brouillette to serve as Secretary of Energy. Mr. Brouillette will replace Secretary Perry who has announced his intention to leave the Department of Energy (DOE). Prior to joining DOE, Mr. Brouillette led the policy shops at USAA and Ford Motor Co. He also served on the Louisiana State Mineral and Energy Board and worked as chief of staff for former Energy and Commerce Chairman Billy Tauzin (R-La.). During his time at DOE, Mr. Brouillette has had a focus on promoting U.S. LNG exports.
The committee also approved on a 12-8 vote the President’s nomination of James Danly, General Counsel for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), who will be named to fill the open FERC seat formerly held by Kevin McIntyre. Prior to joining FERC, Mr. Danly was a member of the energy regulation and litigation group at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom LLP. During the committee meeting, the Democrats on the committee voiced frustration regarding the Administration’s break from a long-standing tradition for the White House to pair Republican and Democratic nominees together when FERC has those corresponding vacancies. Senate Minority Leader Schumer has selected Allison Clements, an energy attorney, to fill the seat formerly held by Commissioner Cheryl LaFleur. Clements, currently the director of clean energy markets at the Energy Foundation, has a long history of working with clean energy groups and also worked at the Natural Resources Defense Council for nine years.
APGA leadership meets with the FERC Commissioners twice a year as a means to communicate information and positions on federal regulatory matters of concern to public natural gas systems. These meetings play a critical role in APGA’s advocacy efforts as they have allowed APGA to develop and maintain a relationship with the Commissioners. This year, APGA leadership met with the Commissioners in May and November.
For questions regarding this article or on APGA’s regulatory advocacy efforts, please contact Dave Schryver of APGA staff by phone at 202-464-2742 or by email at
dschryver@apga.org.