By OGJ editors
WASHINGTON, DC, May 29 -- US Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) May 28 asked President Bush to nominate New Mexican Democrat Suedeen Kelly in order to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Congressional sources predicted the White House would honor Daschle's request.
If confirmed by the Senate, Kelly would replace Linda Key Breathitt, a former Kentucky utility regulator whose 5-year term expires this year. Breathitt was interested in serving another term, but Kelly has stronger congressional support, most notably from Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM).
"The entire West, including New Mexico, produces a substantial amount of the energy that powers our nation's economy," Bingaman said. "I think it's very important that the West be represented on this important commission, and I think Suedeen Kelly would bring valuable experience and perspective to the work of this panel."
Bingaman said Kelly, chairwoman of the New Mexico Public Utilities Commission during 1984-86, is ideally suited for the position. As a law professor at the University of New Mexico, the Albuquerque resident teaches public utility regulation, energy law, legislative process, and administrative practice. During sabbaticals from the law school she has been a fellow at the Senate Energy Committee and regulatory counsel for the California Independent System Operator. She also as been in private law practice in Santa Fe and Washington, DC, and served as an attorney in the Public Utilities Division of the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General.
FERC details
FERC regulates the transmission and sale of natural gas for resale in interstate commerce, regulates the transmission of oil by pipeline in interstate commerce, regulates the transmission and wholesale sales of electricity in interstate commerce, oversees energy-related environmental matters, and approves siting as well as abandonment of interstate pipelines.
FERC is composed of five members who are appointed by the president, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Commissioners serve 5-year terms and have an equal vote on regulatory matters. No more than three members may belong to the same political party. One member is designated by the president to serve as chair, and FERC's administrative head. Republican Pat Wood III, a former state energy regulator from Texas, now serves as FERC's Chairman. One other Republican, Nora Mead Brownell, a former Pennsylvania utility regulator, is a commissioner; a third Republican, Joseph Kelliher, a political appointee to the Department of Energy and former congressional staff member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, is expected to complete the remaining Republican vacancy that occurred when Curtis Hebert left the agency.
William Massey, a former aide to former Sen. Dale Bumpers (D-Ark.) will be the sole Democrat on the commission as of June 30 (unless Kelly is confirmed by then). He has been with the agency since May 1993, serving the longest of his fellow commissioners.