US Senate approves two FERC appointments
By OGJ editors
WASHINGTON, DC, Nov. 10 -- The US Senate Friday confirmed by unanimous consent the appointments of Joseph Kelliher and Suedeen Kelly to the five-member US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
FERC is an independent agency that oversees wholesale electricity markets and approves rates for interstate oil and gas pipelines. Additionally, it regulates hydropower projects. In the wake of the Enron Corp. scandal, the agency is also playing a larger role in monitoring electricity and natural gas trading.
The panel has been operating with only three members since the summer—Chairman Pat Wood and Commissioner Nora Brownell, both Republicans, and one Democrat, William Massey. Commissioner Massey's term expired last June but was temporarily extended to preserve a quorum. The White House is expected to renominate Massey to serve a term that ends June 2008.
The two new nominations were relatively uncontroversial but the appointments stalled over political squabbling related to Enron misdeeds and other energy trading abuses connected with the California power crisis.
Kelliher, a Republican, is a former congressional aide and currently serves as a senior policy advisor to US Department of Energy Sec. Spencer Abraham. Kelly is a Democrat who is the former chair of the New Mexico Public Service Commission and currently serves as a professor law at the University of New Mexico School of Law. Kelliher's term will run through June 2007, while Kelly will complete the remainder of a term set to expire next summer.
"I am delighted with the confirmation of [Kelliher and Kelly]. I have supported Joe since the White House first proposed his name to the Senate 2 years ago. I am delighted that the long wait is over for him. He will make an outstanding commissioner," said Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Pete Domenici (R-NM).
"I am pleased that fellow New Mexican, Suedeen Kelly, has also been confirmed. She brings to the FERC a solid background in law and energy. I am confident she will serve the public well in this capacity," Dominici said.
Domenici's Democratic counterpart, Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), also praised the Senate's action.
"I have long supported [Kelliher and Kelly's] nominations and am pleased that they now will add their experience and perspective to the important work of this commission," said Bingaman. "It is essential that the FERC have commissioners who understand the difficult challenges that our nation faces in ensuring a reliable and affordable power supply. Both Joe and Suedeen have the deep understanding of these issues that is needed at this time."
Industry response
Natural gas producers and pipeline operators concurred with the lawmakers' statements.
"It is a crucial time for the nation in terms of energy policy, and we will need all hands on deck to ensure efficient regulation where necessary and, where possible, balanced, market-based solutions to the supply and demand challenges ahead," said Skip Horvath, president of the Natural Gas Supply Association.
Don Santa, president of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, also praised the Senate action, saying the pipeline trade group "is thrilled that the two nominees were approved by the Senate, and we look forward to working with them at the commission."